The county's Debenhams stores are to re-open on Monday - to complete their closing down sales.

The firm confirmed this morning that its stores in England and Wales - including the ones in Bromley, Gravesend and Westwood Cross - will reopen on April 12, following the latest government guidance.

But the openings will be short-lived as all stores will shut for good by May 15 at the latest.

There will be plenty of bargains to be had as stock is cleared at discount prices.

Any hopes the county's surviving Debenhams stores could keep trading ended in January after the 242-year-old brand was sold to online fashion retailer Boohoo.

The retail giant fell into administration and then liquidation last year after years of trying to balance the books amid a changing retail landscape.

After a string of major store closures across the county at the start of last year, only branches at Westwood Cross in Broadstairs, Bromley and Gravesend had survived.

But that all ended when Boohoo took over, and revealed it had no plans to keep any of Debenhams' remaining 118 retail outlets open, a move which will likely see 12,000 job losses nationwide.

A statement today said: "The sale will offer incredible limited-time bargains, with up to 70% off fashion and home products, and up to 50% off beauty and fragrance lines.

"The stores are reopening as part of Debenhams’ final stock liquidation process and will continue to trade for a limited number of weeks until the stock in the stores is fully cleared."

It added that stores would start to close permanently from May 2, with the stock clearance completed and final stores expected to close by May 15.

All the stores have been made Covid-secure, with appropriate hygiene and social distancing measures in place.

A spokesman for Debenhams said: “This is the last chance for customers in England and Wales to visit their local Debenhams before sadly our stores close for good.

"We will be reopening with a fantastic range of offers and discounts across all of our customers’ favourite brands and products.

"Stocks are limited and expected to sell out quickly so customers should visit their nearest store quickly to avoid disappointment.

"We are very grateful for the efforts of our staff who have worked so hard throughout the most difficult of circumstances to keep the business trading."

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