With the department store announcing 19 store closures nationwide this month, the Stockport branch of Debenhams will remain open into 2020.
In the wider North West, the Altrincham and Southport stores will close by the 19th January. Debenhams has been in talks with landlords to negotiate rent cuts to improve the profitability of its shops.
The stores were part of a list of 22 originally earmarked for closure in April 2019, mostly in the South of England, that would close after the Christmas trading period.
Some staff from the closed branches are being redeployed in other Debenhams stores, reducing the job losses expected by the closure.
Debenhams entered administration in April 2019 after rejecting a cash injection by Sports Direct and House of Fraser owner, Mike Ashley, with lenders instead taking over the chain. The new owners plan to close the 50 worst performing stores by 2021 as part of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA). It is not known if Stockport Debenhams is at risk.
Terry Duddy, the 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.”
HMV, which was rescued from closure in February 2019, has also announced a further three store closures, with another ten at risk, pending negotiations with landlords, however no stores in the North West have been named.