Discussions surrounding the future of John Lewis stores continue as the company warns of more permanent store closures.
The company, which also includes the Waitrose supermarket chain in its stable, announced last year that it would not pay a bonus to its staff - known as partners - for the first time since 1953 and cut 1,300 jobs amid COVID-19 restrictions on stores.
It said then that eight stores were to go, including its Birmingham, Watford and Newbury sites and the Sunday Times has since reported that eight more are at risk.
Such a scenario, if realised, would leave just 34 surviving John Lewis stores.
But the employee-owned business was unable to put a number on it today (11/.3), saying it was still locked in negotiations with landlords.
This has led to worry amongst Milton Keynes residents as the centre:mk is home to the much-loved department store, which has remained in its spot since the shopping centre opened in 1979.
The company has said that the surge in online shopping, and the store closures caused by the pandemic, has led to its first annual loss in John Lewis history.
It reported group pre-tax losses of £517m for the year to 30 January compared to profits of £146m for 2019.
Any further John Lewis store closures would inevitably lead to more job losses though the chain is expected to limit the damage through redeployment where possible.
The partnership's chair, Dame Sharon White, said: "There is no getting away from the fact that some areas can no longer profitably sustain a John Lewis store.
"Regrettably, we do not expect to reopen all our John Lewis shops at the end of lockdown, which will also have implications for our supply chain.
"We are currently in discussions with landlords and final decisions are expected by the end of March.
"We will do everything we can to lessen the impact and will continue to provide community funds to support local areas."
Milton Keynes has already seen the closure of big names such as Topshop/Topman and Debenhams in recent times, so many hope that John Lewis isn't added to that list.
