Debenhams will close its last stores this weekend

Debenhams will close its last stores this weekend, bringing an end to the retail chain’s 242-year presence on the British high street. Almost 12,000 jobs have been lost since the firm hit financial problems. The famous department store went into administration in April 2020 for the second time in a year, but officially collapsed in December after Covid-19 lockdown restrictions forced shops to close. The company was sold to popular online-retailer Boohoo for 55 million pounds in January of this year. Boohoo is expected to relaunch Debenhams as an online brand later this year. A statement issued by Debenhams said: "Our sincere thanks go out to all of our colleagues and customers who have joined us on this journey. We hope to see you all one last time in stores before we say a final goodbye." .