THE House of Fraser department store in Worcester is set to remain open.

A source has told the Worcester News the store, located in Crowngate Shopping Centre, will remain open despite the store previously announcing its closure for the end of January.

Some 149 people work at the store.

Shoppers in the Crowngate Shopping Centre yesterday said they were delighted at the news.

Annette Smith said: “I’m delighted that it’s staying open.

“I’m in House of Fraser most days so obviously very happy it’s staying open.

“It’s my favourite shop.”

Gillian McCabe, aged 54, of Worcester, said House of Fraser was a good shop because of the size of its clothes.

She said: “I am really pleased it is not closing down.

“It’s a lovely store and very well presented.

“I go in there often and can always pick up a good bargain in the sales.

“I often find it difficult to get clothes to fit me but House of Fraser offers petite clothes for my size.”

Sports Direct chief executive Mike Ashley bought House of Fraser out of administration in August 2018 for £90million.

Mr Ashley has turned some House of Fraser stores into Sports Direct outlets, while others have remained under the House of Fraser brand or been rebranded under the Flannels name.

The 169-year-old department chain announced last June that the Worcester branch was to close by the end of this month.

Up to 6,000 jobs were under threat nationally with 31 of its 59 stores set to shut across the UK and Ireland as part of a rescue plan.

At the time, Mr Ashley pledged to save around 47 of the retailer’s 59 outlets.

He had done deals to save at least 20 stores, protecting about 3,500 jobs.

The planned closures came as part of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) - a controversial insolvency procedure among struggling retailers.

A spokesman from House of Fraser told the Worcester News it was unable to comment as it is the responsibility of Sports Direct.

Sports Direct was unavailable for comment.