Debenhams continues talks to save Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich stores

Talks are continuing in a bid to save Debenhams stores in Suffolk - but several shops across the country are to close permanently including its Oxford Street branch.

The department store, which has shops in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich, entered liquidation last month and administrator FRP Advisory is 'continuing to engage with a number of third parties regarding the sale of all or parts of the business'.

However, the company said that due to the third lockdown a number of stores for which it was unable to agree lease extensions will be permanently closed - with 320 jobs lost.

Staff at stores in Portsmouth, Staines, Harrogate, Weymouth and Worcester were told last week their stores will not reopen.

Debenhams' Oxford Street shop will also close permanently.

Geoff Rowley, joint administrator to Debenhams and Partner at FRP Advisory, said: "We continue to engage with interested parties over alternative proposals for the future of Debenhams, but inevitably the latest lockdown has had an effect on our plans for the wind-down of the business.

"We regret the impact on those colleagues affected by today’s announcement and would like to thank all those who continue to keep the business trading in very difficult circumstances."

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