Jenners building 'will reopen as department store'

Edinburgh’s iconic Jenners building will reopen as a department store, its owner has said.

Frasers Group said on Monday that it would stop trading there in May, with the loss of 200 jobs.

Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen owns the building and the company he backs said talks were taking place with other operators.

Jenners has traded from the historic Princes Street site for more than 180 years.

Anders Krogh Vogdrup – the director of AAA United, the Povlsen-backed company that owns the Jenners site – said Frasers had decided to leave despite being granted a “substantial rent reduction”.

In a statement, he said: “We can confirm that Frasers Group has notified us that they will be exercising their break option, and so will be leaving the Jenners building.

“We have endeavoured to work with tenants during the pandemic and resulting lockdowns; offering rent-free periods, deferrals and payment plans, and encouraging our tenants to utilise government-funded schemes to save costs and protect jobs.

“Despite the substantial rent reduction already granted to Frasers and rent-free periods to cover all lockdowns, Frasers has made the decision that it does not wish to continue in occupation.

“This will see the end of the 16-year association between House of Fraser and this building, but not of the 180 years of Jenners department store.

“We are in talks with retailer operators and are planning a programme of works to ensure that, when safe and able to do so, Jenners will reopen.”

Frasers Group said it had been unable to reach a “fair agreement” with Mr Povlsen’s firm.

A spokesperson for Frasers Group plc, which runs the store, said: “Despite the global pandemic, numerous lockdowns and the turbulence caused for British retail, the landlord hasn’t been able to work mutually on a fair agreement, therefore, resulting in the loss of 200 jobs and a vacant site for the foreseeable future with no immediate plans.

“Our commitment to our Frasers strategy remains but landlords and retailers need to work together in a fair manner, especially when all stores are closed.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Jenners staff for their hard work and dedication.”