'Prepare for worst' over Boohoo job losses

Debenhams Group, previously known as Boohoo, plans to close its site on a Burnley industrial estate

The Burnley MP has said the town "needs to prepare for the worst" if plans for the Debenhams Group to move out of the town go ahead.

Oliver Ryan said he had met with the firm's chief executive officer, Daniel Finley, to discuss the plans, which could see 1,200 jobs lost at the Lancashire site.

The company, previously known as Boohoo, plans to close its site on the Heasandford Industrial Estate and "gradually transfer" its online distributions centre operations to Sheffield, but said it would explore opportunities for staff to stay with the business.

Ryan said he had told Mr Finley "a lot of people were scared for their jobs" and the move would be "really detrimental to the town".

"Ultimately I can't have 1,200 people in Burnley being left jobless because the company's moved out," he said.

"We need to step in and we need some urgent government support."

Oliver Ryan said he wants to run a jobs fair with Burnley Jobs Centre

The Debenhams Group has several warehouses and other buildings on the industrial estate.

The firm intends to close them early in 2026, saying the move to Yorkshire was important for "the long-term health of the business and for delivering our new strategy".

Ryan said he had spoken to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the Minister of State and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to provide at-risk workers with "alternative work or find them support".

He said he wanted to run a jobs fair with Burnley Jobs Centre, local employers and the Department for Work and Pensions.

"I'm waiting to hear back is the next stage of the story," he said, "but I'm confident that we can all work together to get these people into work.