Signs have gone up in a Debenhams store urging customers not to ask staff when the store is due to close.

It was revealed by bosses in November the Canterbury branch is set to cease trading on January 24.

But customers have been told not to direct questions relating to the closure at staff.

The signs displayed at counters in the store read: "At this time a specific closure time for this store has not been confirmed.

"Consequently, we kindly ask that questions and queries relating to the closure are not directed at staff as this may cause distress.

"We thank you in advance for your understanding and sensitivity."

It comes after an ambitious £25 million project to redevelop the Debenhams site in Canterbury has been backed by council planners. Developers want to transform three buildings occupied by the troubled department store into 12 new shops and 74 flats.

And now city council officers have recommended the scheme be given the green light when it comes before the authority’s planning committee in the new year.

The council’s report will be welcomed by Clague Architects - the agents for the applicant - which says it is keen to get on with the work as soon as the ailing store closes for good on Friday, January 24.

Officers have welcomed the applicant’s “light-touch approach” to the existing Debenhams facades and shop fronts, which they believe echoes the other surrounding shop fronts at street level.

Both they and Historic England also recognise the “public benefit” which arises from securing the heritage assets of the site, some of which dates back to the 14th century.

They add: “There is also benefit from the provision of sustainable residential accommodation and from enhancing the vitality and viability of the city centre.

“On balance, it is considered that they outweigh any remaining harm to the city’s roofscape resulting from the revised proposal.”

Clague senior partner Karl Elliot said earlier this month that the response to the scheme - known as the Guildhall Quarter - has been “overwhelmingly positive”.

The most contentious aspect of the design was the addition of two extra upper floors, which has now resulted in architects removing two flats from the scheme to maintain roof-top views of the Cathedral.

The developer is also pledging to make a financial contribution to the city of £276,877 to be used to fund improvements to gardens in the city centre.

The application is due to be heard at the planning committee meeting at The Guildhall on Tuesday, January 7.

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