Online shoppers hoping to log on to the Debenhams website are being held in a virtual queue as the retailer struggles to cope with a surge in traffic following the decision to place the department store chain into liquidation.

Bargain-hunters looking to find cut-price deals are currently being asked to wait in an online queue lasting up to ten minutes or are receiving the message: “We're sorry - our site's not available right now. We're experiencing large volumes of traffic, but don't worry we'll be back soon.”

Debenhams launched a stock clearance sale at 7am this morning.

The wait has led a number of shoppers to complain on social media that they had been kept waiting for up to an hour to access the site, before finding that they had been logged out.

Administrators for the 242-year-old firm yesterday announced that negotiations with JD Sports over a possible rescue deal had ended unsuccessfully, leaving them with no option but to wind down the business, potential putting 12,000 retail jobs at risk.

In a statement yesterday Debenhams said stores and online operations would remain open while buyers continue to be sought for assets including the website and its 124-unit store estate.

Administrators FRP Advisory said: “Given the current trading environment and the likely prolonged effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the outlook for a restructured operation is highly uncertain.

“The administrators have therefore regretfully concluded that they should commence a wind-down of Debenhams UK."

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