Dave Gill - Usdaw National Officer says: “This is clearly devastating news for the staff and we are deeply concerned that the company has not said which stores they are planning to close, so uncertainty hangs over every Debenhams store and shopworker. We are urging the management to get round the table with us so we can work together to turn the business around.
 
“Crucial to the future of the company is the staff and their voice should be heard, they must also be treated with dignity and respect and that is best done through their trade union Usdaw. We are providing our members with the support and advice they need at this very difficult time.”
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with around 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion