LOSING Bolton's Debenhams store will be a "bitter pill to swallow" as dozens of staff look set to lose their jobs.

The keystone unit at the Market Place Shopping Centre will re-open for a few weeks when coronavirus restrictions are eased, before closing its doors for good.

Hundreds of jobs were put at risk as Boohoo took over the popular brand, pledging to keep the Debenhams name alive online.

The £55m deal will see Burnley-based Boohoo take over the brand and website of the firm, although all 118 stores will close, putting the future of all 12,000 jobs at risk.

Mark Logan, the MP for Bolton North East, offered support to anyone employed with the firm.

He said: "I am extremely disheartened to hear that the Debenhams store in Market Place will close its doors permanently.

"The news of the Debenhams closure is saddening to hear, both for Bolton and across the country.

"Debenhams has been a large part of our high streets for over 200 years and are a much-loved retailer in our town.

"There will be many Boltonians who have shopped and worked there, and to see the void it will leave in our town centre retail is a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering the exciting town centre regeneration plans being brought forward.

"The landlords, Moorgarth Group, have confirmed that Debenhams will only re-open for a few short weeks when Covid-19 restrictions are eased before closing for a final time.

"They are working to secure a replacement tenant. In the meantime, my team are on standby to provide support to Debenhams staff who have been affected."

Debenhams products will be sold by Boohoo from early next year, allowing liquidators to continue closing the retailer's sites once they are able to reopen.

The 242-year-old brand had already announced significant job losses and the closure of six stores, including its flagship outlet on London’s Oxford Street, as the loss of trading during lockdown met existing financial difficulties.