22,000 jobs on the line as Debenhams crisis deepens
THE 22,000 workers at Debenhams were facing an uncertain future last night after the department store chain confirmed it had gone into administration.
Specialist insolvency practitioners have taken charge of the company to protect it from its creditors while the business is restructured.
All 142 of its UK stores are now closed because of coronavirus. Bosses said
BY HENRY SAKER-CLARK they will “reopen as many as possible” when the restrictions are lifted.
Chief executive Stefaan Vansteenkiste said the move would protect the business and staff “in these unprecedented circumstances”.
He added: “We anticipate that our highly supportive owners and lenders will make additional funding available to fund the administration period.”
Debenhams’ 11 Irish stores are all to close with the loss of 1400 jobs.
In Scotland, Debenhams has stores in Aberdeen, Ayr, Dumfries, Dundee, Dunfermline, East Kilbride, two in Edinburgh, Falkirk, two in Glasgow, Inverness, Livingston, Perth and Stirling. Its branch in Kirkcaldy closed in January.