25th January 2021
Commenting on the closure of Debenhams stores and the loss of its workforce following the sale of the brand and website, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said:
“Just as you think things can’t any worse for our high streets, we then have confirmation that four out their five stores in Northern Ireland are to close and majority of their staff are to lose their jobs following the Boohoo deal”
“Thankfully the Foyleside store has been bought by Frasers, but the closure of the four stores will be a hammer blow to our already struggling high streets. We are also concerned that if the ASOS talks to buy Topshop, Topman, etc to buy the brand and not the stores are successful then sadly we will see further store closures and job losses”
“The Executive needs to immediately establish the High Streets Taskforce to get down to work, producing a big bold radical new plan for our post-pandemic high streets and town centres. While not a silver bullet for all the problems facing our high streets, it would be a step in the right direction in a co-ordinated approach towards recovery and reconstruction”
