Debenhams disappears from the high street for good today as final 28 stores close

15 May 2021, 10:07 | Updated: 15 May 2021, 10:09

the boarded up former Debenhams flag-ship store in Oxford Street
the boarded up former Debenhams flag-ship store in Oxford Street. Picture: PA

By Asher McShane

Debenhams is to shut its doors for the final time in its 243-year history today as the remaining 28 branches close for good.

The historic department store chain will close its remaining 28 stores across the UK for good on Saturday after the company collapsed amid financial woes exacerbated by the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

It closed 21 of its sites across the UK for the final time on Thursday.

The retailer has suffered slumping sales in recent years as shoppers moved away from traditional department store models.

However, the enforced closure of sites during the pandemic was the final straw, resulting in the company falling into administration within weeks of the virus fully hitting the UK.

The company then started its liquidation process at the start of this year after failing to secure a rescue sale.

Debenhams, which employed more than 20,000 people before the pandemic, sold its brand and website to online giant Boohoo for £55 million in January but confirmed its bricks and mortar business would close for good.

It reopened sites from April 12 after the reopening of essential retail in order to clear stock across its stores.

The branches closing today

  • Basildon
  • Basingstoke
  • Belfast
  • Birmingham Bullring
  • Brighton
  • Bristol
  • Bromley
  • Cardiff
  • Chelmsford
  • Cheshire Oaks
  • Colchester
  • Coventry
  • Exeter
  • Hanley
  • Lakeside
  • Leeds White Rose
  • Liverpool
  • Manchester
  • Manchester Trafford
  • Meadowhall
  • Merry Hill
  • Newcastle
  • Newry
  • Plymouth
  • Romford
  • Rushmere
  • Sheffield
  • Swansea

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Zelensky believes Trump will help to resolve the war with Russia

Ukraine-Russia war will 'end sooner' once Trump becomes president, Zelenskyy says

Jon Kenny passed away aged 66

Tributes pour in as Father Ted star Jon Kenny dies aged 66

Indian firefighters battle a blaze - FILE

Ten newborn babies die as fire erupts in Indian neonatal ward

Some Porsche 718 models are reportedly affected by the fault.

Porsche recalls nearly 1,000 cars amid risk of 'wheels falling off'

RMT Union said they will strike in a dispute over working practices

Rail infrastructure workers set to stage 24-hour strike on Saturday over working practices dispute

Teachers have been left to wash students' uniforms amid 'hygiene poverty' crisis

Teachers forced to wash school students' uniform and install washing machines in schools due to 'hygiene poverty'

Farmers descended on Labour's Welsh conference to protest a rise in inheritance tax.

Farmers descend on Welsh Labour conference to protest Keir Starmer appearance as PM defends budget decisions

Unhealthy food is increasing pressure on the NHS, according to a new report

UK's 'staggering' addiction to 'junk' food 'costs £268bn a year' as pressure mounts on the NHS

Barristers for Mrs Rooney and Mrs Vardy have returned to the High Court

'She always wanted my life': Rebekah Vardy slams Coleen Rooney ahead of I'm A Celeb launch

Russia launched a wave of missiles strikes at Ukraine overnight.

Russia launches wave of drone strikes at Ukraine as Zelenskyy says Scholz-Putin call opened 'Pandora's box'

Trump 2024 National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

Donald Trump names Karoline Leavitt as youngest-ever White House press secretary

Jake Paul beat retired pro Mike Tyson in their fight on Friday.

YouTuber Jake Paul defeats 58-year-old former boxing champ Mike Tyson in Texas clash

Trump's aide Stephen Moore has said the UK should align itself with the US on trade rather than pursuing closer ties with the “socialist model” of the EU

Trump aide urges UK to embrace free market over 'socialist' EU - despite banking boss's call to 'rebuild relations'

The cow was airlifted out of a swimming pool

Udder chaos as pregnant cow lifted to safety by firefighters after falling into swimming pool

All Main Candidates For PM Address CBI Conference

Justin Welby's son breaks silence on former Archbishop of Canterbury's resignation following damning review into abuse

Malcolm X Speaking at Rally

Malcolm X's family files $100m wrongful death lawsuit against CIA, FBI and NYPD over assassination of civil rights icon