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Debenhams, once the biggest department store chain in Britain, has fallen into administration and has named 22 of its stores which will be closing in 2020.

The retailer has explained that closures will start early next year, with 1,200 staff affected.

These are the stores which are set to close:

Altrincham
Ashford
Birmingham Fort
Canterbury
Chatham
Eastbourne
Folkestone
Great Yarmouth
Guildford
Kirkcaldy
Orpington
Slough
Southport
Southsea
Staines
Stockton-on-Tees
Walton-on-Thames
Wandsworth
Welwyn Garden City
Wimbledon
Witney
Wolverhampton

It was confirmed on Tuesday 9th that the retailer's lenders have taken control of the company after Debenhams rejected a last-minute proposal made by Sports Direct to underwrite £200 million. In a statement, the brand said that the offer was "not sufficient" for the lenders.

After FTI Consulting LLP were confirmed as joint administrators, they sold Debenhams' holding company to an organisation owned by its lenders. Under its new ownership, the retailer will have access to £200 million of new funding. The company said its 165 stores would continue to trade as normal, although it will continue to "implement the restructuring of its operations, including optimising the store portfolio" to help boost trading performance.

The Debenhams flagship store on Oxford Street

georgeclerk Getty Images

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Terry Duddy, Debenhams' Chairman, described the move into administration as "disappointing". In a statement, he added: "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."

After the department store reported loses of £491.5 million last autumn, bosses said it would close up to 50 stores, putting 4,000 jobs at risk (via the BBC).

Debenhams is the latest high-street chain to feel the pressure of falling profits in recent months. Last year, both Toys R Us and Maplin went into administration, while New Look announced it may close up to 100 stores in a bid to improve profitability. In August, Sports Direct agreed to buy House of Fraser for £90 million after it announced it would close 31 of its 59 shops as part of a restructuring strategy.

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