A LEADING figure in Bradford trade says it is a great shame Debenhams is set to shut in the city.

The High Street chain is to go into liquidation after talks with JD Sports to save it broke down.

It is a huge blow for Bradford and The Broadway as the huge Debenhams store, set over a number of levels, was one of its original attractions for shoppers when it opened in November 2015.

Val Summerscales, Bradford Chamber of Trade secretary, says Debenhams’ announcement is a big blow for the city.

She said: “It’s very sad. It comes quickly on the back of the Arcadia administration announcement.

“It is a blow for all towns and cities where they are located.

“There will be a lot of job losses. It’s a great shame.

“We were delighted when Debenhams took space in The Broadway. It was a key, landmark store. All businesses need to move with the times. The pandemic has tested a lot of businesses.

“A lot of businesses have offered shopping online. Businesses have to evolve to survive. It’s worrying, we don’t know where it will end.

“Debenhams is a key part of the Broadway centre. It takes up a large floor space.

“A lot of businesses in The Broadway have had to close, or temporarily close, this year. That’s not the fault of the businesses, but the circumstances surrounding the two lockdowns.

“No time of year is good for this type of announcement about job losses, but before Christmas is even worse.

“Debenhams has been caught up in it. It’s an absolutely awful thing to happen for people to lose their jobs.”

Debenhams said it will continue to trade through its 124 UK stores and online to clear its current and contracted stocks.