Debenhams in Portsmouth tells staff it will not reopen as store closure is confirmed

Debenhams announced its intended closure of all its stores in December, with a date earmarked for the Portsmouth Commercial Road store’s final day in the new year.

However with tier four restrictions forcing the store to close earlier this month, the business has now told its staff that it will not be reopening again.

A spokesman for Debenhams said: ‘The landlord of the store in Portsmouth has alternative plans for the site, and has served notice that they require the building back no later than the end of January 2021.

‘With the lease for the store expiring shortly, and the continued uncertainty on when tier four restrictions will be lifted, there is no opportunity for the store to trade before the landlord needs the site back.

SEE ALSO: Portsmouth's Debenhams set to close - what should happen next?

‘As such, Debenhams has had to make the difficult decision that it will not reopen the store and it will close permanently.’

The chain also has a store in Fareham Shopping Centre. It is not yet known the date of this store’s closure.

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