DEBENEHAMS in Redditch is set to close forever after eleventh hour efforts to rescue the department store failed today.
JD Sports pulled out of any rescue deal for the flagship department store, putting thousands of jobs at risk across the country.
Roughly 12,000 people will lose their jobs when the chain’s 124 shops cease trading.
It comes after Debenhams’ biggest supplier, Arcadia, which includes high street brands Topshop, Topman and Dorothy Perkins, collapsed into administration on Monday.
Debenhams has been struggling for years and crashed into administration for the second time in April.
Geoff Rowley of FRP Advisory, the joint administrator to Debenhams, said: “All reasonable steps were taken to complete a transaction that would secure the future of Debenhams.
“However, the economic landscape is extremely challenging and, coupled with the uncertainty facing the UK retail industry, a viable deal could not be reached.”
The 242-year-old retailer has launched an up to 70 per cent off sale online after the news of its liquidation broke.
Most if not all of Debenhams shops will reopen on Wednesday following a relaxation of regulations for non-essential retail.
Administrators will continue to try and sell off parts of the Debenhams business but it’s likely that stores will close early next year, once remaining stock has sold.
