Debenhams to close 22 stores next year, affecting 1,200 jobs

Debenhams announced 22 store closures on Friday that will affect around 1,200 members of staff.

The stores will close next year, with further closures to be confirmed in due course as the final number is dependent on future trading performance.

Executive chairman Terry Duddy 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."

Stores due to close in 2020 are 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, and Wolverhampton.

Debenhams said it will try to redeploy as many staff members as possible.

Earlier this month, the department store chain was taken over by its lenders - which include Barclays and Bank of Ireland - as part of an administration process that saw its shareholders, which include the likes of Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley, wiped out.

This came after the company rejected a £150m rescue deal from Ashley, provided he was made chief executive officer, among other conditions.