MP urges Debenhams to give Wolverhampton 'a second chance'
MP Eleanor Smith has made a plea to Debenhams bosses to meet with leaders at Wolverhampton Council – in a bid to save the city's treasured department store.
The MP for Wolverhampton South West wrote to Debenhams executive chairman Terry Duddy to express her 'dismay' over the store shutting down – which she described as 'the jewel in the crown' of the Mander Centre.
She has urged him to give the branch – which has only been open in the city for 18 months – a 'second chance'.
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Ms Smith said in her letter: "This is terrible news for the 150 people employed at the store, and my thoughts go out to their families.
"I note that in a letter to Trafford Council you promised to work with staff to minimise redundancies, and I hope you will make the same undertakings to the workers of Wolverhampton.
"But it is also terrible news for the entire city of Wolverhampton.
"The shopping experience the city centre has to offer is going to be severely affected if this threatened closure goes ahead in 2020."
The store – which opened in October 2017 – has been earmarked for closure early next year along with 21 others across the nation as part of restructuring plans by new owners.
Council bosses have since written to Mr Duddy asking for an urgent meeting – and Ms Smith has written in her letter that she hopes he will agree to this.
The council want owners to reconsider the closure decision and explain why the Wolverhampton store will shut.
In her letter, Ms Smith continued: "The announcement of this closure is all the more disappointing because the store opened with great fanfare less than two years ago - as the flagship store of the £35m Mander Centre, right in the heart of the city's retail sector, and the jewel in its crown.
"I realise that many of the issues which affect UK High Street stores are nationwide – a combination of factors such as changing shopper habits, high rents, and lack of free parking in city centres.
"But I would ask you to look at this decision again, I believe this brand new store deserves a second look and more of a chance to prove itself as a viable one. Surely it is not right to close what must be one of the most modern stores in the Debenhams chain, one which has been designed to be successful in the rapidly changing world of city centre retail?
"In addition, the announcement of the closure is something which will threaten confidence in the city's future for all investors at a time when the city is making strenuous redevelopment plans in many areas to ensure Wolverhampton is a thriving city moving with the times. City centres are evolving for the future. They need to mix work, living, socialising, shopping, as well as activities and leisure."
She added: "I think Wolverhampton Council recognises this and I would like to believe that partners like Debenhams come to the city in good faith committed to a long term future in Wolverhampton and its communities.
"In the light of this, I hope you will agree to consult constructively with all parties affected by the decision to close the store, and seek a solution which can work for all. I know the city council have already written to you asking for talks and I look forward to hearing from you that you will agree to their request to meet."
