Debenhams in administration

[worriedbutexcited]

Debenhams have gone into administration, but what does it actually mean?

I work in a Debenhams store and have done for several years, I’ve been ready for a change for a while but I feel a bit nervous that it’s being forced upon me rather than being my choice to move careers.
I’ve got bills to pay and commitments so I’m a bit terrified to be honest so if anybody could shed some light on what will happen then I’d be very grateful

Name changed by the way

It will continue to trade and staff, suppliers, rent be paid for the time-being in the hope of a takeover/investment. It is easier to sell a going concern. However some store , especially older oversized city centre stores have been earmarked for closure for past 20+ years. The format is tired and over expanded just as online shopping took off.

Debenhams chairman: 'We remain focused on protecting as many stores and jobs as possible'

Debenhams Chairman Terry Duddy said:

It is disappointing to reach a conclusion that will result in no value for our equity holders.
“However, this transaction will allow Debenhams to continue trading as normal; access the funding we need; and proceed with executing our turnaround plans, whilst deleveraging the group’s balance sheet.
“We remain focused on protecting as many stores and jobs as possible, consistent with establishing a sustainable store portfolio in line with our previous guidance.”

I've just read this and I have a £70 gift voucher. Guess I won't be able to use that any more?

MissOrganisedMe

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2019/04/debenhams-falls-into-administration---what-you-need-to-know/amp/

@Palominoo thanks

Im so sorry to hear the news :-(
I have a parcle i wont be able to collect now/refund if it doesnt fit but it puts it all into prospective.

I also work in a debs OP. But work for a concession. Do you? Or do you work for actual debs? Scary isn’t it. We’ve been told to sit tight for now but have known for weeks something isn’t right in store! Thinking of you x

And the stores are trading as normal as it stands. You can still spend your voucher I would use it sooner rather than later. Collection of parcels etc is all normal.

Administrators are now running Debenhams, looking for potential buyers and looking to see if any profit can be made.

Customers who are expecting deliveries need to contact Debenhams asap.

No orders should be made - just in case.

Any loyalty scheme is probably dead in the water.

Anyone working directly for Debenhams needs to start looking for other employment, especially those working in stores already earmarked for closure.

Anyone working for a concession need to contact their parent companies for other positions elsewhere.

Thanks everyone.

I work for a concession but debs contribute to my salary so I’m employed by both technically @JPK1510.
It is scary, it’s all I’ve known since I left college, I didn’t intend staying this long but it jst ended up being convenient!
I don’t actually know what else I would do although I have fancied a change for a while.

We’ve been sent a message basically saying nothing changes for us at the time being and to carry on as normal and not to panic.

They've just built a very fancy and shiny new store in Watford... and enticed a load of staff away from other department stores. Still not quite sure how they justified it.

Same in Wolverhampton.

Spent years (years) refurbishing a closed down TJ Hughes and a Tesco Metro which together, had a huge footprint within the Mander Centre.

Debenhams opens with a three storey shop, open at all levels, with a Costa and a Loaf & Bloom restaurant and a significantly smaller shopping area.

Benito's Brow Bar and Benefits staff came from the local House of Fraser.

The place isn't even half empty.

On the days I popped in, staff outnumbered customers.

Benito's has closed down they had so few customers.

In spite of the tatty state of the local House of Fraser, the fact it's filling up with sportswear and not this season's fashions, people still prefer Beatties.

I was going to mention the new one in Wolverhampton too. It was opened to a huge fanfare just over a year ago?

I can't quite pinpoint what it is with Debenhams but, apart from a quick nosy in Wolverhampton when it first opened, it's not somewhere that I ever think to shop. If I'm in Birmingham for instance, Selfridges draws me in every time and I usually buy make up from there but I never give Debenhams a second thought despite walking past and despite them probably stocking the same make up ranges.

The one on york ring road is desolate yet I love the Sunderland one

I was in Oxford a few weeks ago, and went to the Debenhams there as I knew I'd be able to get tights. I could have counted on my hands the number of customers in the whole store, and this was late afternoon on a Thursday.

That said, I only ever shop in debenhams if there isn't an alternative department store (and I include next and M&S as 'department stores'). I find debenhams scruffy, uncared for and can never find my way round.