// Debenhams relaunches in-store food and drink offerings after being closed since March due to the pandemic
// Debenhams is reopening the food offers in over half of its 124 stores this month
// By September, it aims to have 100 new food offers up and running
Debenhams has announced that it will now start to re-open its in-store food and drink offerings after they all went into lockdown in late March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
When the department store chain re-opened 124 stores across the UK, the stores initially reopened without their in-store restaurants and coffee bars due to continuing government restrictions.
Debenhams has now confirmed it would reopen a range of food offers in over half its stores this month, having secured agreements with new and existing partners.
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By September 1, the department store retailer hopes to have 100 new food offers up and running, including launching a new Costa Coffee in its Oxford Street flagship.
Debenhams is also welcoming new partners to a number of stores including Donut King, Bentley’s Coffee, Street & Co, Rounton Coffee and Double Zero.
“We know our customers like to come with their families to do their shopping and take a break for a cup of coffee and a snack,” Debenhams head of food partnerships Sam Shutt said.
“We’re delighted to be opening some new and different food offers in our stores, many of which will be taking part in Eat Out to Help Out.
“And if you want to come at the weekend, we’ll even pay for your parking.”
The news comes a week after Debenahams revealed 2500 job cuts in its latest round of redundancies.
Late last month it was revealed that the retailer had been put up for sale, and just a few days ago news emerged that restructuring firm Hilco Capital had been drafted in to work on contingency plans for a possible liquidation for the business.
Before lockdown, Debenhams had around 140 stores and was in the midst of a CVA restructure, which saw several store closures after the peak Christmas trading season.
During lockdown, it decided to cull its store estate further down to 124 and went into a light-touch administration.
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