BRADFORD BID manager Jonny Noble says it will be sad to see ‘great high street brand’ Debenhams go if a new rescue deal cannot be found.

Debenhams, which has a large branch at The Broadway, Bradford, announced earlier today that it has started the liquidation process after rescue talks with JD Sports broke down.

Mr Noble said: “It’s a huge disappointment to hear that Debenhams has started a liquidation process.

It is a great high street brand and it will be very sad to see it go if the administrators are unable to find a new rescue deal for all or part of the business

“It is clear that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on this historic retailer as it has on many parts of the high street, and the failure of Arcadia, which is the biggest operator of concessions in Debenhams stores, seems to have been the last straw.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

“It can’t all be blamed on the pandemic, however, as there seems to have been problems with the structure of the business, as the closure of a number of its stores already demonstrates.

“It’s a huge blow for their employees and their families in these difficult times and at this particular time of the year. Our hearts go out to their 12,000 staff here and around the country, as well as the 13,000 people at Arcadia, whose futures are at risk.

“We feel desperately sorry for them and we hope that as many of their jobs as possible can be saved.”

Mr Noble added there are likely to be more retail casualties as the pandemic continues to bite businesses.

He urged people to shop local in the district ahead of Christmas, as the national lockdown is eased tomorrow to make way for Tier 3 restrictions in Bradford.

He said: “They are unlikely to be the last commercial casualties of this pandemic which has wrought havoc on many high streets and it highlights the need for local residents to support their local shops by spending locally.

“With the restrictions on non-essential shops being lifted tomorrow when Bradford goes back into the revised Tier 3, we hope people will give city centre businesses all the support they can by doing their Christmas shopping here.

“Our businesses are doing everything they can to ensure that people can maintain social distancing and shop safely and the extension of shopping hours means people have plenty of time to go about it calmly and considerately, without premises becoming overcrowded or people being put at risk.

“We know many people are itching to get back to physical shopping again and if people vote with their feet and show they want our high streets to survive, they will.”