4 years ago
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John Lewis has announced it is permanently closing eight of its stores, putting 1,300 workers at risk.
The retailer said it had to "secure the business's long-term future and respond to customers' shopping needs".
Department stores in Birmingham and Watford will not reopen as the coronavirus lockdown eases.
At Home stores in Croydon, Newbury, Swindon and Tamworth will also shut down, as will travel sites at Heathrow airport and London St Pancras.
John Lewis had warned in March it could close shops as a plunge in profits forced it to cut staff bonuses to their lowest level in almost 70 years.
It said the eight stores affected were already "financially challenged" even before the pandemic struck.
However, Covid-19 had caused customers to move more quickly towards online shopping and away from stores.
John Lewis Partnership chairwoman Sharon White said: "Closing a shop is always incredibly difficult and today's announcement will come as very sad news to customers and partners.
"However, we believe closures are necessary to help us secure the sustainability of the partnership - and continue to meet the needs of our customers, however and wherever they want to shop."
Ms White said John Lewis would do everything it could to keep on as many people as possible.
