Debenhams announces list of 22 UK-wide store closures, Inverness handed reprieve for now; Kirkcaldy only Scottish store to shut doors in first phase; 28 further closures expected in future
DEBENHAMS in Inverness has been handed a reprieve from possible closure after it was not included among the first 22 stores confirmed for the axe by the chain’s new owners.
Only one Scottish site, in Kirkcaldy, has been axed in the first phase of closures.
However, some 50 stores are expected to close in total, so uncertainty over the trader’s presence in the Highland Capital remains.
The first phase of 22 closures will start next year, and some 1200 jobs will be lost as part of the move.
The closure announcement follows the take over of Debenhams by its lenders earlier this month in a pre-packed administration deal.
The full list of store closures in the first phase are as follows: Altrincham, Ashford, Birmingham Fort, Canterbury, Chatham, Eastbourne, Folkestone, Great Yarmouth, Guildford, Kirkcaldy, Orpington, Slough, Southport, Southsea, Staines, Stockton, Walton, Wandsworth, Welwyn Garden City, Wimbledon, Witney, Wolverhampton.
