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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Business
James Morris

Debenhams stores closing: The full list of 22 shops set to shut in 2020

Some 22 Debenhams stores are to close next year (Picture: Ben Birchall/PA)

Debenhams has confirmed plans for 22 store closures, putting 1,200 jobs at risk.

It comes after lenders took control of the ailing department store earlier this month.

Chairman Terry Duddy said the closures were necessary to "make the business fit for the future".

The list of stores, which are expected to close next year, are as follows:

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

Wolverhampton

Mr Duddy said on Friday: “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.”

Further closures could still be announced following discussions with landlords.

Meanwhile, rent reductions will be sought on many of the remaining branches.

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