Debenhams to reopen 90 stores in England on June 15

DEBENHAMS is set to open its 90 stores in England from June 15, as retailers draw up plans for returning to business after lockdown.

The department store is understood to be in negotiations with its landlords to begin reopening from mid-June, although not all stores will open on the 15th - some may do so in the following days.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

1

Boris Johnson announced earlier this week that non-essential retailers in England, including department stores, would be allowed to reopen from June 15.

A number of companies have since announced that they will begin to reopen branches on that date.

Around 40 more Debenhams stores in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will open at a later date, as the governments in those countries are yet to set out plans for when non-essential retail can reopen.

The final details for when individual Debenhams stores will open are reportedly being drawn up.

The company has already announced that a number of its stores will not reopen once the lockdown is lifted.

Its branches in Southampton, Swindon, Kidderminster, Borehamwood, Truro, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Salisbury, Westfield in west London, Warrington, Leamington Spa, South Shields, Birmingham's Bullring, Croydon's Centrale shopping centre, Silverburn in Glasgow, High Cross in Leicester, and Reading's Oracle have been permanently closed.

The decision was made after Debenhams was put into administration for the second time in 12 months in April.

It also announced at the time that its Irish business would close.

The retailer had been struggling long before the coronavirus crisis started.

Debenhams saw 50 stores shut permanently in April 2019 after falling into the control of lenders, a group of banks and hedge funds led by US firm Silver Point Capital.

This move wiped out the value of investments of shareholders, including Sports Direct billionaire Mike Ashley.

The majority of its employees in the UK have been paid under the government's furlough scheme for the last few weeks.

The coronavirus job retention scheme is where employers can ask the government to cover 80 per cent of the salary of furloughed staff - which amounts to up to £2,500 a month - if they’re temporarily unable to work.

Most read in Money

DEATH CAKE

Homicide probe over 3 deaths from 'arsenic cake' as cops find 'white liquid'

xmas shock

Gemma Collins' heartbreak as fiancé Rami is rushed to hospital in an ambulance

noel arrival

Lisa Armstrong's Xmas joy as she introduces baby boy as new addition to family

AIR CARNAGE

‘Berserk’ plane passenger tied up with SEATBELTS after trying to smash window

Here are the rules shoppers will have to follow when stores reopen.

Car dealerships and outdoor markets will be the next to open, on June 1.

Ikea is also going to open its UK stores from June 1.