Final Debenham stores in Northern Ireland and GB shut as chain's 243-year history ends

By Henry Saker-Clark, PA City Reporter

Debenhams is to shut its doors for the final time in its 243-year history.

The historic department store chain will close its remaining 28 stores across the UK for good on Saturday after the company collapsed amid 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.

Debenhams on Royal Avenue in Belfast City Centre reopened for a period following the coronavirus pandemic

– Final stores to close on May 15

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