Virgin’s House of Fraser concessions in Carlisle, Chichester, Leamington Spa, Lincoln, Sutton Coldfield and Worcester were initially earmarked for closure, with its Camberley and High Wycombe stores due to relocate to neighbouring Next premises.

However, a Virgin Holidays spokesperson confirmed to TTG this week it was working on “relocation and new location options” for all six stores currently facing closure, adding its Camberley concession had already relocated to Next.

The spokesperson added Virgin Holidays had since opened concessions at Next stores in Banbury, Hatfield, and most recently Bracknell on Friday (August 10), after Virgin said in April it hoped to open 20 Next concessions over the coming years.

Virgin’s House of Fraser concessions in Cheltenham, Maidstone, Nottingham and Solihull will continue to operate as normal.

While Ashley has pledged to keep the majority of House of Fraser’s 59 stores open, but Virgin Holidays said its planned concession closures “will go ahead regardless of the change in [House of Fraser] 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,” said a Virgin Holidays spokesperson.

“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.”