THE future of the Oxford branch of Debenhams still remains uncertain even though it has escaped the latest round of store closures.
The department store chain is now in administration and has been closing stores around the country.
In the latest round of closures it was announced that seven stores would be closing including those in Salisbury, Westfield in west London, Leamington Spa, and South Shields, as it has been unable to reach agreement with landlords.
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It is understood that deals have been struck regarding 120 of the chain’s 142 sites, which leaves the future of a further 15 outlets hanging in the balance.
Stefaan Vansteenkiste, the chief executive of Debenhams, who is continuing to run the business in administration, said: “We have agreed terms on the vast majority of our UK stores and talks are proceeding positively on the remainder.”
It is not yet known if the store in Magdalen Street is one of those which is still under threat.
All Debenhams’ stores closed temporarily on March 23 after the government imposed a lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
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Historic department store Boswells opposite, which announced its closure last year, shut for good earlier this month.
The lockdown has prompted fears that some stores will never reopen.
Debenhams had already closed 22 stores, including the Witney branch
A further 28 were expected to close next year but those plans have now been accelerated.
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