No axe for chain’s stores
DEBENHAMS has listed 22 stores earmarked for closure.
Both Llanelli’s Trostre and Carmarthen’s St Catherine’s Walk branches are not affected, along with Swansea’s longstanding store in the Quandrant Shopping Centre.
All the branches that will shut in 2020 are in England.
The move is part of a plan to shore up the chain and protect its future.
The closing stores will potentially see 1,200 jobs lost.
It means Carmarthen is safe for now, along with Llanelli and Swansea branches – which were never listed as being at risk.
While just 22 stores are listed for closure, others could follow as ultimately Debenhams could shut up to 50 stores in the coming years.
Terry Duddy, executive chairman of Debenhams, said: “The issues facing the UK high street are very well known.
“Debenhams has a clear strategy and a bright future but in order for the business to prosper, we need to restructure the group’s store portfolio and its balance sheet, which are not appropriate for today’s much-changed retail environment.
“Our priority is to save as many stores and as many jobs as we can, while making the business fit for the future.”