British retailer Debenhams has kicked off the new decade with the closure of 19 UK stores, affecting 660 jobs.
The stores will shut over an eight day period, starting from 11 January, and includes shops across the UK from Scotland to Surrey.
The closures are the first of 50 to take place, following an initial announcement in 2018; the next stores to close are earmarked for 2021.
“We are working hard to implement the transformation of Debenhams,” said Debenhams’ CEO Stefaan Vansteenkiste.
“Despite a challenging retail environment, thanks to our colleagues’ hard work and our investor group’s commitment we are progressing with our turnaround.”
The new year has been described as a make-or-break year for the retailer after it fell into administration in April 2019 and failed to meet revenue expectations.
In an effort to turn around the business, Debenhams has hired a host of experienced retail executives; these include the addition of House of Fraser’s former CFO Mark Gifford and Argos’ ex-boss John Walden to its board.
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Store closure locations include:
Altrincham, Greater Manchester - 11 January
Birmingham The Fort - 11 January
Kirkcaldy, Fife - 11January
Walton-on-Thames, Surrey - 11 January
Wandsworth, London - 11 January
Wolverhampton - 11 January
Chatham, Kent - 15 January
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk - 15 January
Slough, Berkshire - 15 January
Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham - 15 January
Welwyn, Hertfordshire - 15 January
Witney, Oxfordshire - 15 January
Ashford, Kent - 19 January
Canterbury, Kent - 19 January
Eastbourne, East Sussex - 19 January
Folkestone, Kent - 19 January
Southport, Merseyside - 19 January
Southsea, Portsmouth - 19 January
Wimbledon, London - 19 January