Chesterfield retail park owner comments on future of former Debenhams building

In January, fashion retailer Boohoo bought the Debenhams brand and website from administrators for £55million.

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However, Boohoo will not take on any of the firm’s remaining shops or its workforce.

Debenhams opened its Chesterfield store at Ravenside Retail Park to much fanfare in 2012.

A spokesperson for Land Securities Group PLC – which owns Ravenside Retail Park – told the Derbyshire Times: “In relation to the Debenhams store at Ravenside Retail Park, we can confirm that we are in active discussions with an alternative brand to take this space.

“We hope to be able to let people know who this is in the next couple of months,” they added.

Chesterfield’s Debenhams store is expected to reopen for a closing down sale once the current lockdown ends before it shuts for good.

Ravenside Retail Park is home to a number of major companies, including Next, Hobbycraft and Pizza Hut.

Debenhams entered administration for the second time in April last year.

It had struggled for years as a result of rising debts and falling profits as more shopping moved online.

Boohoo said Debenhams was expected to relaunch on Boohoo’s web platform later this year.

Mahmud Kamani, executive chairman of Boohoo, said: “This is a transformational deal for the group, which allows us to capture the fantastic opportunity as ecommerce continues to grow.

“Our ambition is to create the UK’s largest marketplace.”

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