EIGHTY one members of staff at the Skipton ‘Rackhams’ store have learned their jobs are likely to go early next year after House of Fraser creditors backed a move to close the store.

The struggling department store chain is closing 31 of its 59 outlets through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), which will also allow it to secure rent reductions on its remaining shops.

More than 75 per cent of creditors voted in support of the plans last Friday which will affect up to 6,000 staff nationally.

Chief executive Alex Williamson said it was the “last viable” option to save the retailer which was at risk of collapse if the CVA had been rejected.

House of Fraser leases the Skipton High Street building from Royal London Asset Management.

Eighty one members of staff work at the store either directly with House of Fraser or through a number of concessions on site.

A spokesman for the department store said in the immediate term they would look at redeploying staff where possible and that staff were being “kept in the loop” while the changes were being implemented.

The current store will remain “business as usual” until it is due to close in early 2019.

House of Fraser chairman Frank Slevin told the Press Association the vote was “satisfactory”.

He added: “I am now focused on the implementation of the business plan. We will continue to focus on that going forward. Today has given us part of the solution to that.”

Mr Slevin described the store closure plan as a “seminal moment” in House of Fraser’s history.

A spokesman for Royal London Asset Management said they declined to make any comment on future plans for the Skipton site at this time.

Skipton Chamber of Trade and Commerce said it was sad to hear the decision to close had been upheld.

Wendy Lawson, co-ordinator of the Chamber said when she first heard the news: “Personally, I have shopped at the Rackhams store for decades.

“While it’s been a valued part of our thriving high street, it has seen a reduction in numbers of people shopping there, so the parent company has had to make a difficult decision.

“I would hope that together, the Chamber, alongside other agencies and organisations within this vibrant, thriving community, will come together to suggest a solution to utilising such an iconic building into the future.”

The leader of Craven District Council Councillor Richard Foster said: “It’s very disappointing that House of Fraser appear to be progressing with plans to close Rackhams in Skipton. Our thoughts are with the staff who work in this store and their families.

“We did urge House of Fraser to reconsider but we will now be working with the retail agents and the landlords on plans for the future of the building.

“This building is in a prime spot on Skipton’s High Street, a bustling and successful town, and we’re sure that a suitable occupant will be able to realise its exciting potential.”