THE House of Fraser department store in Worcester may not be closing in the new year after all.

The Worcester News understands that members of staff at the store in Crowngate Shopping Centre have been told that the planned closure, previously announced for January 2019, will now not take place.

In June, the embattled department store chain announced that up to 6,000 jobs were under threat nationally with 31 of its 59 stores set to shut across the UK and Ireland as part of a rescue plan.

The Worcester store was amongst those set to close, the company said.

A spokesman for the business said: “House of Fraser’s store in Worcester is among the 31 sites that has been identified for closure.

“All 149 staff members employed directly by the company or its concessions have been notified and will be supported throughout this process.”

But in August, hopes were boosted with news of a £90million takeover.

Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct agreed to buy the chain, turning some House of Fraser stores into Sports Direct outlets and rebranding others under the Flannels fascia, while others will remain under the House of Fraser brand.

His acquisition followed House of Fraser going into administration after talks between the retailer and its creditors failed to reach an agreement.

House of Fraser - which began trading 169 years ago - employs 17,500 people.

The Worcester News contacted Sport Direct representatives for a comment, but received no reply.