Debenhams say they hope their Bolton store will survive the coronavirus crisis - despite some store closures nationwide.

Debenhams filed for administration earlier this month, after a long period of financial turmoil, and announced several store closures, including in Altrincham and Warrington.

The move to file for administration was done in an attempt to stop the company going into liquidation, while all of its 142 UK stores are shut during coronavirus lockdown.

The store closures announced this month, after falling into administration, put around 1,600 jobs at risk in the UK; however, the company remains positive that most of its stores will reopen once government lockdown restrictions are limited.

Stefaan Vansteenkiste, CEO of Debenhams, said: “These are unprecedented circumstances and we have taken this step to protect our business, our employees, and other important stakeholders, so that we are in a position to resume trading from our stores when Government restrictions are lifted.”

The company has also indicated that negotiations with landlords are proceeding well, with terms agreed with over 120 out of 142 UK stores.

And while plans to close at least 28 stores as part of administration are still in place, the intention is there will still be over 100 stores in the UK post-lockdown, with high hopes held for the Bolton store.

Mr Vansteenkiste added: “We are working with a group of highly supportive owners and lenders and anticipate that additional funding will be made available to bridge us through the current crisis period.”

Deputy Council Leader Martyn Cox, who’s responsible for Development and Regeneration on Bolton Council, commented that Debenhams demise is representative of the decline of retail and that Boltonwill have to adapt to these changes.

He emphasised the redevelopment of Crompton place as vital to keeping Bolton moving with the changing times.

He said: “It’s a great shame for the people who work there (debenhams).

“We as a town are built on retail and it is important that we are able to carry on as people move to shopping more online.

“The retail sector as a whole was struggling before the lockdown and this is just devastating for those who work in the store.

“People were already shopping online more and this (lockdown) will just exacerbate a problem that was already there.

“We will have to adapt, like a lot of other towns in the UK, and not just offer things that you can buy on Amazon.

Market Place were approached for a comment.