DEBENHAMS has announced when its store in Bradford will close for good - marking the end of an era in the city.
The High Street chain's branch at The Broadway welcomed back shoppers on April 12 following the reopening of non-essential retail as it started a national closing down sale.
But the site will permanently close on Tuesday, May 4, the chain has confirmed.
Bradford is one of 27 Debenhams stores in England and Wales that will close for the final time on either May 2 or 4.
Debenhams’ remaining stores are expected to close by May 15, with further closures expected between May 4 and 15.
Debenhams, whichc has been a mainstay on UK high streets for 242 years, is shutting all of its 118 stores nationwide after being bought out by online retailer Boohoo in a £55 million deal.
The high street chain was one of the original stores at the Bradford shopping centre when it opened in November 2015.
Ian Ward, general manager at The Broadway, Bradford, thanked Debenhams for its work at the centre, but it is now speaking to brands interested in taking over floorspace at the site.
He said: "Debenhams’ stores across the country will be closing on May 4, including the unit held in The Broadway, Bradford.
“Whilst the implications of the pandemic has dealt a number of fatal blows to the retail industry as a whole, at The Broadway we’re very much focusing on the future of the Centre as a retail and leisure destination.
"We’re holding a number of very exciting conversations with brands that want to bring new offerings to the city of Bradford. As always, we’ll announce these names when leases are signed.
We’d like to thank the Debenhams staff and extend our best wishes to the team in their new roles
"We’ve held a close working relationship with the team as part of The Broadway family for a number of years.”
The Broadway store saw an increased footfall in the Boxing Day sales last year after the liquidation process was confirmed. But it was forced to shut just days later when the national lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Before the Debenhams store at The Broadway, Bradfordians fondly remember the previous shop on Manningham Lane, which replaced the much-loved Busbys site.
Debenhams took over the business in August 1958 and was a landmark store in the city until it closed in 1978.
The following year a huge fire destroyed the magnificent Victorian building.
The chain's closing down sale includes discounts of up to 80 per cent off fashion and home and up to 70 per cent off beauty and fragrance in these 27 stores as we clear the last remaining stock.
A spokesperson for Debenhams said: “With such great bargains on offer, it’s no wonder our stock is selling out incredibly fast.
"Time is running out for shoppers to take advantage of the incredible discounts being offered at these 27 stores."
Debenhams started a liquidation process in December last year after JD Sports confirmed it had pulled out of a possible rescue deal.
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