Bad news on Debenhams leaves 'substantial hole' in Harrogate retail sector

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The news that Debenhams’ administrators had sold the company brand to a online only fashion retailer Boohoo for £55 million ending all hopes for the bricks and mortar survival of the famous chain spells the final end for the Harrogate branch which first opened circa 1843.

Sandra Doherty, Chief Executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said Debenhams in Harrogate would be sorely missed.

She said: “The closure of Debenhams store will leave a substantial hole in the retail landscape of Harrogate.

“Not only has it a large footprint, but as a national retailer it provided a well-known brand to encourage shoppers to visit Harrogate. It also gave employment to scores of people from the local area, some of whom had been there for many years.

“Debenhams provided an anchor store for Parliament Street which will be sorely missed.”

A liquidation process had already started at the 242-year-old Debenhams chain after administrators failed to secure a rescue deal for the business late last years, despite approaches from JD Sports.

As well as staff in Harrogater, it is believed 12,000 jobs will now be lost nationwide as the famous brand turns from a brick-and-mortar store to a wholly digital future.

Harrogate Business Improvement District's chair Sara Ferguson said Covid has been the final "nail in the coffin" for the national retail chain.

She said: “For a number of years Debenhams nationally had been teetering on the brink of closure, and Covid just happened to be the final nail in its coffin.

“I personally think working from home as a trend is a bigger ongoing threat to the high street, and one that is potentially more worrying than any hole that Debenhams leaves.”

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