23/10/2026
Burnley Council and Burnley Bondholders have welcomed the announcement this morning (23rd October 2026) that Debenhams Group’s site at Heasandford in Burnley will reopen as a fully operational Debenhams Group facility in early 2027, bringing around 1,200 jobs to the town.
The announcement is a significant boost for Burnley and a strong vote of confidence as a place to do business on a global scale. It also represents a positive step for the town’s business community, with the return of a major logistics operation expected to bring wider economic benefits through workforce spending and increased activity for local shops, hospitality businesses and services.
Lukman Patel, chief executive of Burnley Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Debenhams Group back to Burnley, with its Heasandford site reopening as a fully operational facility and bringing 1,200 jobs to the town. This is fantastic news for Burnley and a significant opportunity to strengthen our local economy.
“The Redundancy Taskforce will now evolve into the “Opportunities Taskforce”; a renewed, forward looking partnership designed to maximise the benefits of Debenhams Group investment and unlock real prospects for local people. We are working closely with Debenhams Group and our wider public and private sector partners to help residents access employment, create clear pathways into work and expand apprenticeship opportunities that equip people with the skills to build their futures in Burnley.
“The return of Debenhams Group presents benefits beyond the jobs at the facility itself. It brings opportunities for local people, supports our business community and has the potential to generate wider economic activity across the town. By working together, we want to ensure that these opportunities translate into lasting benefits for Burnley and its residents.”
Neil Evans, chair of Burnley Bondholders and managing director of VEKA plc, said: “This is fantastic news for Burnley. The return of Debenhams Group after just 12 months and the prospect of 1,200 jobs at its Heasandford facility represent a significant vote of confidence in the town and its role as a place to do business.
“The economic impact of a major employer goes well beyond its own site. A workforce based in Burnley brings potential benefits for retailers, restaurants, hospitality businesses and the many other organisations that make up our local economy. That wider contribution is important for the vitality and prosperity of the town.
“When the original closure was announced, businesses and Burnley Bondholders stepped forward to help affected workers find new opportunities. That response showed what our public-private partnership can achieve when the town faces a challenge.
“We are delighted to welcome Debenhams Group back and recognise the positive opportunities this brings. It is a great example of why strong employers, a committed business community and effective partnership working matter so much to Burnley’s future.”
Dan Finley, CEO of Debenhams Group, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Burnley. Burnley has played an important role in the group’s history for over a decade, which was a primary distribution location for over a decade. We’re excited to be combining our years of experience operating in the town with GXO’s fulfilment expertise, to support the next phase of the Group’s growth.”
