THE future of embattled High Street chain House of Fraser will be decided today as creditors vote on a proposed rescue deal which would see half its UK stores close.

Creditors will vote on a rescue deal which would see it close 31 of its 59 stores, including those in Darlington and Middlesbrough.

If the deal is approved, the stores would close in early 2019. However, if the deal is rejected it is feared the company could be placed into administration by its Chinese owner Nanjing Cenbest.

That would put up to 17,500 jobs at risk, both directly and through concessions within the stores.

The restructuring will see the company close the earmarked shops and access reduced rent on ten other sites.

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said yesterday she was optimistic that the town's store may remain as a department store after learning it was still making good profits.

She met with representatives from the building's owner, a Middle Eastern pension fund, in Westminster on Monday, and said she felt they would be 'very reluctant' to allow it to close.