COSTA is currently in “close contact” with Debenhams about its future within the store as the Weymouth town centre shop continues to wind down.

As previously reported, the department store chain has announced it will close its 124 stores after a rescue deal with JD Sports fell through.

The prominent store, based in New Bond Street, was opened in December 1999 after previously opening branches in St Thomas Street and St Mary Street.

A Costa branch has been based on the ground floor inside the large shop for a number of years and serves as a popular place for customers to have a hot drink and snack before and after their shopping.

Costa continues to serve customers inside Debenhams while the store holds a closing down sale.

Dorset Echo:

The coffee chain remains in “close contact” with Debenhams about any updates of the business and building’s future and will inform its staff members of any developments.

A spokeswoman for Costa Coffee said: “The Costa Coffee concession within the Weymouth Debenhams store continues to trade in line with Government guidelines.

“We remain in close contact with Debenhams and will be updating team members as soon as we have any further information to share.

“We are grateful to our team in Weymouth for their ongoing support and commitment to their store and their customers during a very unsettling time.”

The coffee chain also has a branch on St Mary’s Street, which remains open during the coronavirus pandemic.

Debenhams is currently set to shut all its stores by the end of next March, putting 12,000 jobs at risk, after administrators failed to find a buyer for the business.

Dorset Echo: Inside DebenhamsInside Debenhams

Its Weymouth branch has installed several "Everything must go" and "Store closing" signs across its two floors, with a majority of its stock discounted.

The BBC reported last week that the Frasers Group, owned by businessman and Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, was working on a rescue bid for Debenhams.

Mike Ashley, who founded Sports Direct and also owns House of Fraser, had made an offer for Debenhams in April, when it was initially put up for sale.

The Times recently reported that the owner of the historic New York department store brand Barneys is plotting a double takeover of Debenhams and Arcadia Group.