DEBENHAMS stores in Scotland will remain closed when the retailer re-opens its stores in England and Northern Ireland over the next
two weeks.
Fifty stores in England will re-open June 15 as coronavirus restrictions are eased. The remaining 70 will re-open later that week, with 22 outlets to be closed permanently,
Three stores in Northern Ireland will open on Monday and its two other sites there shortly after. Stores in Scotland and Wales will re-open once Government restrictions are eased, Debenhams said.
The chain said strict social distancing and hygiene procedures are implemented across all re-opening stores.
Debenhams was already struggling before the lockdown and fell into administration on April 9 in a protective measure against creditors demanding their money.
It said last month that one of its Scottish stores, at Silverburn in Glasgow, would remain closed after restrictions were eased but then reversed the decision.
Debenhams managing director Steven Cook: “We are delighted to be welcoming customers back to some of our stores in the coming weeks.
“From the installation of Perspex screens at till points to the roll-out of social distancing procedures and PPE, we have been working hard to ensure our colleagues and customers can work and shop with confidence.
Debenhams also plans to cut hundreds of head office jobs as it looks to drive a turnaround
in profitability.
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