DEPARTMENT store Boswells is expected to announce a timetable for its closure in the coming weeks.

Residents and retailers were stunned last month when directors revealed that the store on the corner of Broad Street and Cornmarket, trading since 1738, will have to shut because it is no longer profitable.

The announcement came after about 70 staff were told they faced redundancy and would need to find new roles elsewhere.

Read again: Boswells in Cornmarket set to close next year

Director Sarah Pearson, a descendant of Arthur Pearson, who took over the business in 1890, has welcomed the support of the public.

No closure date has yet been revealed and Ms Pearson said further announcements would be made after Christmas.

Oxford Mail:

There is no official announcement on the Boswells website and it simply advertises Christmas holiday times.

Ms Pearson said earlier this month: “The day after the news came out we had a very busy day’s trading in the store.

“We have had such positive lovely feedback from our customers and the overwhelming response to the news, and the overwhelming sentiment, is that they are so sad to see us going - but they can see the changing nature of the high street.”

Shoppers’ support came too late to save the historic department store but it is not too late to snap up some bargains over the Christmas period.

Read again: Shoppers rally to back Boswells following closure announcement

Ms Pearson added: “People know this Christmas is likely to be the last one at Boswells so it would be lovely if they could come in over Christmas and shop with us.

“Everything is on sale and there are discounted items throughout the store.”

Oxford Mail:

Ms Pearson said staff, some of whom have worked there for decades, had been ‘positive and supportive’ when told the news.

There was an indication that all was not well at Boswells in November when the 1738 tearoom, which opened in 2015, closed suddenly.

Shoppers also noticed that signs in the store showed numerous product lines crossed out and the customer toilets were shut.

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A retail property consultant GCW has been hired with a view to selling the building was taken at a meeting in Windsor this month with two other directors.

Oxford Mail:

Staff were warned at a previous meeting in August that the store would either close or undergo a major revamp involving some redundancies.

London-based retail property consultants GCW has been hired to advise Boswells regarding the sale of the city centre building.

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Part of the Boswells building on the Broad Street side is leased from Oxford City Council and it is thought that the lease runs until 2059.

Oxford Mail:

Civic leaders are now thinking about what could replace Boswells once it goes and whether this would be a new retailer or a different business and city council bosses have pledged to work with Boswells.

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The future of the Debenhams store opposite Boswells is still in doubt.