Debenhams to reopen Sheffield and Meadowhall stores next week for final closing down sale

Debenhams will reopen in Sheffield and Meadowhall on Monday offering big discounts in a final closing down sale.
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The company said its department stores - including on The Moor and at Meadowhall - would offer discounts of up to 70 per cent in a final stock liquidation process and close for good once everything is cleared.

Non-essential shops can reopen on Monday April 12 after a three-month lockdown to contain the Covid pandemic.

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Debenhams stores will start to close permanently from May 2, with the final sites expected to shut by May 15.

The Moor. Debenhams. Picture: Chris EtchellsThe Moor. Debenhams. Picture: Chris Etchells
The Moor. Debenhams. Picture: Chris Etchells

News of the temporary reopening will be bittersweet for 12,000 staff who have been on furlough for months and now have a date for when they will lose their jobs.

A spokesman for Debenhams said: “This is the last chance for customers in England and Wales to visit their local Debenhams before sadly our stores close for good.

“We will be reopening with a fantastic range of offers and discounts across all of our customers’ favourite brands and products.

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“Stocks are limited and expected to sell out quickly so customers should visit their nearest store quickly to avoid disappointment.

“We are very grateful for the efforts of our staff who have worked so hard throughout the most difficult of circumstances to keep the business trading.”

Debenhams had been in and out of administration before FRP Advisory announced on December 1 that rescue talks had failed and it planned to wind the company down and sell off all the stock.

The permanent closure date was originally planned to be in the first quarter of this year but was pushed back when the third lockdown was imposed in January and shops had to close.

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Debenhams is one of the largest buildings on The Moor, but due to separate ownership, was not included in Aberdeen Standard Investment’s £120m revamp of the shopping area and has been shabby for years.

The top floor closed some time ago, reflecting the company’s struggles. It also has a giant store at Meadowhall.

The news comes after John Lewis said it did not plan to reopen its Sheffield city centre department store after lockdown.

Sheffield MP Paul Blomfield criticised the move saying he found it ‘incomprehensible’ that the company would not take advantage of anticipated shopping boom.

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Thank you. Nancy Fielder, editor.