BIRKENHEAD'S House of Fraser branch will close in early 2019 after creditors voted in favour of the move.

The branch is one of 31 set to close through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).

Around 2,000 House of Fraser staff will be affected across the UK with a further 4,000 across brands and concessions.

House of Fraser secured the backing of more than 75% of creditors, including landlords, for the CVA at a meeting on Friday.

It was voted through despite anger among landlords, who have complained that they are being forced to stomach a financial hit at the same time as House of Fraser enjoys new investment.

Alongside the CVA, Hamleys owner C.banner is being lined up to buy a 51% stake in the firm and invest £70 million into what remains of the business.

At the meeting, furious landlords berated House of Fraser’s management and their advisers at KPMG over how the CVA was conducted.

They complained that their share of the vote had been structured unfairly in an attempt to push through the restructuring proposal.

Despite their protestations, a representative for two of House of Fraser’s landlords said there had been “no give” from the top team.

Mr Williamson and chairman Frank Slevin were both in attendance at the creditor vote.

Earlier this month Wirral Council leader Phil Davies said the authority would do "everything it can" to support the staff whose jobs are at risk.

He told the Globe: "I pledge Wirral Council will do everything it can to support the people whose jobs are at risk following the House of Fraser announcement today.

"Again this shows how Britain's high streets are under immense pressure.

"Retail has changed and stores like House of Fraser are struggling to compete.

"If a major retailer like House of Fraser can’t make its flagship store on Oxford Street financially viable, then clearly something is going wrong and we need a new approach to our high-streets.

“The signs have been there for a while that how people shop, and what they expect from their town centres, is different than what is currently on offer.

"In Wirral we have recognised this dynamic shift and, working through Wirral Growth Company and with local businesses, we are close to unveiling ideas for a radical new town centre in Birkenhead.

"We will be bringing forward planning applications and resident consultations on these developments, which will create thousands of jobs for local people and make sure Birkenhead continues its resurgence and once again becomes a shopping destination for people all across our region.”

"Despite efforts to persuade House of Fraser to stay in the town, we are now focussed on building and strengthening relationships with existing retailers, independent operators and the food and leisure businesses who will make up an important part of the future for Birkenhead."

Birkenhead MP Frank Field said: "This makes the publication of, and action on, the Council’s plan to redevelop the centre of Birkenhead even more urgent."