The department store chain is said to be seeking a further 25% rent reduction on around 20 stores in exchange for scrapping break clauses in the leases.

The news has caused panic among some property owners who have questioned retail tycoon Mike Ashley’s potential plans to take on the sites when the break clauses become active, according to The Times.

Ashley had a leading share in the department store and has previously made offers to acquire the business or underwrite an emergency equity raise.

However, Debenhams lenders took control of the struggling department store chain in April as part of a pre-pack administration that states any sale “must see full repayment of the group’s debt”  which would amount to nearly £1bn.