Commenting on the news that retailers Debenhams have filed for administration for the second time in a year, South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth said: “This is already a deeply worrying time for everyone including staff at Debenhams Dumfries, so this news will be the last thing they wanted to hear and my thoughts are very much with them and their families.

“But we have been here before. It’s exactly a year since Debenhams last entered administration and the Dumfries store continued.

“I will certainly do all I can to urge Debenhams bosses to stand by their Dumfries workforce and store in the same way workers have stood by the company.

“This is an important employer locally and it has become a major fixture on a High Street that will need as much support as possible in the difficult few months and years ahead.”