Debenhams' Scottish stores will not reopen, including the one in Inverness, with all staff to be made redundant as liquidators provide update on the stock liquidation and store closure programme
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Debenhams has today confirmed that it will not be reopening its Scottish stores, which will be closed permanently, with all employees made redundant.
The retailer, which has a branch in the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness, has said this is because the reopening of non-essential stores will not begin until April 26 at the earliest, under tiered arrangements, and this does not align with those expected in other parts of the UK.
It followed the announcements of the plans for easing lockdown arrangements – it has 15 stores in Scotland and the move will affect 647 employees.
Debenhams intends reopening shops in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for a short period to complete its stock liquidation process as soon as government restrictions allow.
In England this is expected to be no earlier than April 12 based on the latest Government guidance.
The announcement provided an update on the progress of its liquidation and store closure programme.
In a statement the company stated it was part of the planned wind-down of the Debenhams business and "regrettably our 15 stores in Scotland will now not reopen and are closed permanently".
However, the statement added that a number of employees will be retained for a short period of time to support an orderly exit from the stores.
Geoff Rowley, joint administrator and partner of FRP Advisory, said: "The Debenhams liquidation clearance continues online, and will restart in stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland once restrictions allow. We regret that Debenhams’ Scottish stores will not be able to reopen, and would like to thank all those employees affected for their commitment to Debenhams during what I know has been an extremely unsettling time."
