ONE of Taunton’s retail giants could be making up to 60 people redundant, including at a Taunton centre, it has been reported.

Debenhams is currently planning to cut roles in its Taunton and London support centres, according to a number of news websites online.

The Retail Gazette has reported that the firm has started a consultation with support centre staff which could result in around 60 redundancies.

Meanwhile, fashion business news site Drapers believes that the roles are focused in back-office and central support teams.

The news site revealed that Debenhams is minimising the recruitment for new positions and is focusing on business-critical roles.

The news comes after the struggling high street retailer unveiled plans to axe 50 shops in October.

The group said the closures will take place over a three to five year period and the announcement comes alongside a dire set of financial figures.

Debenhams, which has a store in Taunton, swung to a £491.5 million loss in the year to September 1, compared to a £59million profit in 2017.

At the time, chief executive Sergio Bucher said: “It has been a tough year for retail in 2018 and our performance reflects that.

“We are taking decisive steps to strengthen Debenhams in a market that remains volatile and challenging.

“We are taking tough decisions on stores where financial performance is likely to deteriorate over time.”

The store closures will bring the Debenhams estate down to about 100.

As part of the shake-up, Mr Bucher also announced plans to take £130 million of costs out of the business, including suspending the dividend.

Mr Bucher insisted: “Debenhams remains a strong and trusted brand with 19 million customers shopping with us over the past year.

“With a strengthened balance sheet, we will focus investment behind our strategic priorities and ensure that Debenhams has a sustainable and profitable future.”