Debenhams is reportedly set to close all its stores in Ireland.

The department store has 11 outlets in Ireland, including ones in Galway, Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Kildare and Waterford. They were among the retailers to close their doors last month amid the coronavirus restrictions. RTÉ report that staff were told today [April 9] that once the restrictions are lifted, the stores would not be reopened. The broadcaster report that a liquidator is to be appointed for the Irish operations  in the next few days. Debenhams recently announced that its UK branch is to file administration - as they confirmed they had filed a notice of intent to appoint an administrator. “This move will protect Debenhams from the threat of legal action that could have the effect of pushing the business into liquidation while its 142 UK stores remain closed in line with the government’s current advice regarding the covid-19 pandemic, the company said in a statement [via The Independent]. "With (owners and lenders) support and working with other key stakeholders, including landlords, pension trustees and business partners, we are striving to protect jobs and reopen as many Debenhams stores for trading as we can, as soon as this is possible," CEO Stefaan Vansteenkiste added [via RTÉ].