A town centre trade boss has welcomed a commitment from the head of a national retail chain to keep its Barrow store open despite it not making money.

James Daunt, the chief executive of Waterstones, said its bookshop in Barrow town centre was not profitable for the company but that it was ‘important’ it stayed open.

A number of national chains have closed stores nearby in Portland Walk, with Debenhams the most recent large retailer to leave the town following financial struggles.

Mr Daunt said a number of the company's stores did not make money, amid concerns about how town centres will cope with the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

Speaking to the Financial Times, he said: “We run quite a lot of marginal shops in places like Bolton, ­Barrow-in-Furness and Blackpool.

“I promise you Barrow-in-Furness does not make us money, but it seems important that it’s there.”

The bookshop chain has more than 280 stores across the country and employs about 3,000 booksellers.

Colin Garnett, the manager of Barrow’s Business Improvement District, was encouraged by the commitment but said shoppers need to back the town centre.

“It’s great that he’s said that,” he said.

“It is important that national retailers remain in the town centre.

“Business need to be sustainable and make profit to survive.

“I hope we bounce out of Covid and people start using town centres.

“If shops are not profitable more will close.

“It’s more important than ever that people support the high street.”

Barrow’s Debenhams store, as well as three nearby shops, was sold at auction for £600,000 following its closure last month.

The units sold for £3 million in 2017 but, following the closure of the department store giant, they sold for just £600,000.

The well-loved department store closed last month after the company collapsed.

The closure of all of the chain’s shops was confirmed after online fashion retailer Boohoo agreed to only buy its website and brand in a £55 million rescue deal.

Debenhams paid nearly £450,000 a year in rent in Barrow.