Another Scarborough shops blow as Topshop and Topman set to close

Online retailer Asos has bought the brands Topshop and Topman and their stock - but not their stores.

Around 300 employees are reportedly transferring to the new owners fro current owner Arcadia but the shops are expected to shut.

Only last week, it was announced that Scarborough would lose its Debenhams - which occupies a large space in the Brunswick Shopping Centre, also home to Topshop and Topman.

The Debenhams website and its brand has been bought by fashion retailer Boohoo but all the chain’s stores are to shut, with 12,000 jobs being lost across the country.

Sue Anderson Brown, Centre Manager for the Brunswick Shopping Centre, said: “We are saddened at the recent announcements by Debenhams and Arcadia Group.

“We will be working closely with the retailers over the coming weeks to finalise next steps for its stores in the Brunswick Shopping Centre and will provide further updates when possible.

Debenhams closure: Future of the Brunswick centre and Scarborough's retail scene to be examined

“This national news reflects the wider challenges facing retailers across the country and we will continue to support our stores during this period.”

As reported by The Scarborough News, talks are underway between Scarborough Borough Council, the Scarborough Town Centre Team and the owners of Brunswick Shopping Centre to develop a new vision for the centre after the blow of losing Debenhams.

The ASOS acquisition from Arcadia also includes Miss Selfridge and HIIT.

Chief Executive of the online giant Nick Beighton said: “The acquisition of these iconic British brands is a hugely exciting moment for Asos and our customers and will help accelerate our multi-brand platform strategy.

“We have been central to driving their recent growth online and, under our ownership, we will develop them further, using our design, marketing, technology and logistics expertise, and working closely with key strategic retail partners in the UK and around the world.”