The countdown to House of Fraser closing its doors in Hull city centre for the final time has entered its final week.
Staff at the Paragon Street store were told last month that the branch would shut in August.
It came as a shock to many, after Hull's House of Fraser was saved from closure last December after a last-gasp takeover bid from business tycoon Mike Ashley.
Plans were then revealed to develop the former Hammonds store building into a multi-use complex of retail, food, accommodation and business space.
The vision included House of Fraser covering two floors of the building in Hull, but just weeks later the department store dropped the bomb that it would be closing for good.
That date is now fast approaching, with Sunday, August 4 just a week away.
A statement released by House of Fraser last month said: "We have been working in conjunction with the landlords whilst they explored opportunities to develop the Hull site.
"However the revised space has left House of Fraser with a store that is unviable and we believe will not live up to the standard our customers expect. Regrettably we have had to take the decision to close the store.
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"The 81 affected staff have been informed today of this decision and it is our intention to re-locate them where possible within the group."
The House of Fraser saga in Hull started last year, when new owners for the chain announced a raft store closures would be made to cut costs.
Staff in Hull were later told in September 2018 that the store would be closing its doors in December, just three months later.
However, with just days to go until the planned closing date, Mike Ashley swooped in and saved the store with a rescue deal.
The future for House of Fraser in Hull looked rosy until June this year, when the announcement was made to staff that the department store would close in August.
Hull City Council’s deputy leader Daren Hale recently spoke of his disappointment at the news.
He said: "It's very disappointing to learn that House of Fraser will not be staying in the building. We thought we had a deal on Christmas Eve."
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Cllr Hale also said the council was continuing to work with the landmark building's owners, who had to change the use of its upper floors to food and leisure, apartments and offices.
House of Fraser will close its doors for the final time in Hull on Sunday, August 4.
How to contact Phil Winter and Business Live
Business Live's Hull & East Yorkshire journalist is Phil Winter, also the business editor at the Hull Daily Mail and Hull Live.
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Alternatively, email him on philip.winter@reachplc.com, or call 01482 315360.
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