Debenhams Plans to Axe 50 Branches

[Colin James]

Update 25th October 2018: Debenhams has unveiled plans to axe up to 50 high street shops, putting around 4,000 jobs at risk, as profits plunged at the struggling department store chain.

I have just read this article about Debenhams chief executive considering closing 10 of their stores.

First of all, let us hope that this does not happen and that nobody looses their job but more importantly how does the Hereford store stack up against the other 176? 

Quote

Debenhams will consider closing up to 10 of its 176 stores under a review announced by its new chief executive, Sergio Bucher.

 

The department store chain, whose shares have fallen a third over the last year, said more investment is required to improve its mobile systems, supply chain and store estate.

 

It is consulting on the closure of the DHL-run Lodge Farm distribution centre in Northamptonshire, which employs 220 staff and would close in two years' time.

 

Ten smaller in-house warehouses could also close.

 

Debenhams said it hoped many staff could be redeployed.

 

The plans were revealed alongside half-year results showing a 6.4% fall in pre-tax profits to £87.8m, though UK like-for-like sales rose 0.5%.

 

Its shares were down 3% on the news.

 

Mr Bucher, a former Amazon executive who took over in October, said the overhaul would see the stores potentially closed over the next five years.

 

As part of his 'Fix the Basics' plan, around 2,000 staff will also be moved to customer-facing roles.

 

The group will also axe some in-house brands and quit some of its international markets.

 

Stores will be de-cluttered with a 10% reduction in stock options and stock will be replenished faster.

 

Mr Bucher said: "Our customers are changing the way they shop and we are changing too.

 

"Shopping with Debenhams should be effortless, reliable and fun, whichever channel our customers use.

 

"We will be a destination for 'social shopping' with mobile the unifying platform for interacting with our customers."

 

The department store said its online performance during the half-year had been driven by a 64% increase in mobile orders.

 

Mr Bucher added: "If we deliver differentiated and distinctive brands, services and experiences both online and in stores, our customers will visit us more frequently.

 

"And, having simplified our operations to make us more efficient, we will be able to serve them better and make better use of our resources."

 

Debenhams, the country's second-largest department store group, employs 19,000 people in its stores

 

 

[Aylestone Voice]

Colin - Let's hope it stays open but there are many around the City who are dying for one of the Old Market stores to shut

[Clarkester]

It is sad, but also, it is pretty much what a lot of people have suspected.

Let's hope that Hereford is not one of them.

I want to be positive...  I want to be...

[Colin James]

Colin - Let's hope it stays open but there are many around the City who are dying for one of the Old Market stores to shut

 

Well I love the Old Market,and I shop in Debenhams and TK Maxx regular so it will be a sad day if they start closing some of the new stores. Personally, I think the Old Market has brought additional people into the city with all the new shops and restaurants since it opened.

[atm63]

Hereford store will never be a big player , due to a failing local council , traffic , people staying away and forthcoming street parking charges doesn't bode well for any city ctr business . As it is a newish store I dare say it won't be for the chop just yet . Maybe 3 to 5 years

[Hereford Voice]

Debenhams has unveiled plans to axe up to 50 high street shops, putting around 4,000 jobs at risk, as profits plunged at the struggling department store chain.

The group said the closures will take place over a three to five year period and the announcement comes alongside a dire set of financial figures.

The largest department store at the Old Market Shopping Centre in Hereford could face closure over the next 3-5 years.

Let's hope that our store in Hereford remains open.

 

[megilleland]

Looking at The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) the business rates are set at:

Debenhams current rateable value £665,000 - 7833 sq m
Waitrose current rateable value £497,000 - 2498 sq m

The Business Rate multiplier is 49.3 pence. Both have a Transitional Relief certificate. (A stay of execution?)

https://www.gov.uk/correct-your-business-rates (search for HR4 9HT)

In October 2015 the Government announced its intention to enable local government as a sector to retain all business rates raised locally. A Local Government Finance Bill was introduced in Parliament in January 2017 to provide enabling legislation for the reforms and the LGA provided briefing and information to MPs throughout the Bill process. The Bill did not complete its legislative stages before the 2017 general election and was subsequently not reintroduced. DCLG are considering ways in which the Government's manifesto commitment to give local government greater control over their income can be taken forward.

https://www.local.gov.uk/topics/finance-and-business-rates/business-rates-retention

If businesses keep closing down Herefordshire Council won't be getting any benefit from this scheme.

 

[ragwert]

On 29/10/2018 at 11:35, megilleland said:

Looking at The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) the business rates are set at:

Debenhams current rateable value £665,000 - 7833 sq m
Waitrose current rateable value £497,000 - 2498 sq m

The Business Rate multiplier is 49.3 pence. Both have a Transitional Relief certificate. (A stay of execution?)

https://www.gov.uk/correct-your-business-rates (search for HR4 9HT)

In October 2015 the Government announced its intention to enable local government as a sector to retain all business rates raised locally. A Local Government Finance Bill was introduced in Parliament in January 2017 to provide enabling legislation for the reforms and the LGA provided briefing and information to MPs throughout the Bill process. The Bill did not complete its legislative stages before the 2017 general election and was subsequently not reintroduced. DCLG are considering ways in which the Government's manifesto commitment to give local government greater control over their income can be taken forward.

https://www.local.gov.uk/topics/finance-and-business-rates/business-rates-retention

If businesses keep closing down Herefordshire Council won't be getting any benefit from this scheme.

 

They lease quite a bit of space to the in house stores

[Hereford Voice]

HEREFORD'S Debenhams appears to have escaped a round of closures of the chain's stores.

The Hereford store is not on a list of 22 out of 166 branches to shut that was issued this week.

But further closures will be confirmed in due course, with the final number depending on future trading performance.

The move has put 1,200 jobs at risk across the company.

The Hereford store opened in the Old Market shopping development in 2014.

Keep supporting these local stores and keep local people in jobs!

[Glenda Powell]

On ‎20‎/‎04‎/‎2017 at 09:01, Colin James said:

Update 25th October 2018: Debenhams has unveiled plans to axe up to 50 high street shops, putting around 4,000 jobs at risk, as profits plunged at the struggling department store chain.

I have just read this article about Debenhams chief executive considering closing 10 of their stores.

First of all, let us hope that this does not happen and that nobody looses their job but more importantly how does the Hereford store stack up against the other 176? 

 

Colin, pleased to read in local press that ours isn't closing, Glenda