In 2016, as the Irish economy was rebounding and consumer sentiment returning, lawyers for Debenhams made their way to the High Court to seek the appointment of an interim examiner. Having recorded losses in five of the six previous years, the company was insolvent, and its British parent decided it required bankruptcy protection from creditors to allow a fundamental restructuring. The chain blamed boom time rental deals for its financial problems, which were threatening the jobs of the 2,200 workers across its 11 Irish department stores. After 100 days, the company emerged from examinership; its British parent held off a…

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