Virgin Holidays has confirmed six of its House of Fraser concessions will shut despite Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley’s £90 million rescue deal for the embattled department store chain.
Ashley’s buyout will see all 59 House of Fraser outlets remain open after it was announced in June the store’s troubles had forced it to pursue a “fundamental” restructure, which included the closure of 31 of its high street premises.
A Virgin Holidays spokesperson though has confirmed its planned concession closures would go ahead.
Six concessions - Carlisle, Chichester, Leamington Spa, Lincoln, Sutton Coldfield and Worcester - were initially earmarked for closure.
Its House of Fraser concessions in Camberley and High Wycombe, meanwhile, will relocate to neighbouring Next stores after Virgin Holidays announced in April it would open 20 Next concessions.
Virgin’s House of Fraser concessions in Cheltenham, Maidstone, Nottingham and Solihull will continue to operate as normal.
The Virgin spokesperson added: “Virgin Holidays planned concession closures within House of Fraser will go ahead regardless of its change in ownership.
“We’ve spoken with our staff in stores that are affected and remain confident we will be able to offer alternative locations for our people in the event of store closures.
“We’d like to reassure customers who have booked through a House of Fraser store that it will have absolutely no impact on their holiday.”