Debenhams rescue may cost 10,000 jobs

A rescue attempt being drawn up to save Debenhams from going bust could lead to more than 10,000 job losses, dealing the biggest blow to the high street since the collapse of BHS. The chain has 165 shops in the UK and Ireland, and 26,000 employees. It has said publicly that around 50 stores could be jettisoned but the board has identified another 30 to 40 that could be offloaded as it seeks to focus on the most profitable ones.