Debenhams has announced that 19 stores will close in January, as the embattled department store chain forges ahead with its rescue plans.

The closures, which will begin on 11 January, will be spread across the company’s UK store network, and will put up to 660 jobs at risk.

Sites earmarked for closure over a two-week period this month include stores in Manchester, Birmingham, Fife, Kent, Oxfordshire and London.

The retailer last year launched a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) after it fell into the hands of consortium of investors Celine Jersey Topco in April.

The shutdowns are part of an initial wave of closures, with the retailer set to close a total of 50 stores by the end of 2021. Debenhams is seeking to cut rents on the remainder of its 163-unit store network as part of the conditions of its CVA.

Last month, the retailer announced the appointment of John Walden, the former Home Retail Group chief executive, and Kevin Conroy, former president of digital and media at MGM, as non-executive directors of parent company Celine Jersey Topco.

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