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Last Debenhams stores close their doors | Last Debenhams stores close their doors |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Former staff reminisce about life at their town's Debenhams branch | Former staff reminisce about life at their town's Debenhams branch |
The last remaining Debenhams are closing their doors on Saturday, more than 240 years after the department store began trading. | The last remaining Debenhams are closing their doors on Saturday, more than 240 years after the department store began trading. |
Shoppers have flocked to the last remaining outlets to pick up bargains in closing-down sales. | Shoppers have flocked to the last remaining outlets to pick up bargains in closing-down sales. |
But the last 28 stores will now be shuttered for good. | But the last 28 stores will now be shuttered for good. |
The Debenhams brand will continue to trade online after it was bought by the fashion retailer Boohoo for £55m in January. | The Debenhams brand will continue to trade online after it was bought by the fashion retailer Boohoo for £55m in January. |
At its height, there were more than 150 Debenhams stores across the UK, but the chain went into administration in 2019 after several years of falling sales. | At its height, there were more than 150 Debenhams stores across the UK, but the chain went into administration in 2019 after several years of falling sales. |
The pandemic was the final blow. | The pandemic was the final blow. |
In December, its owners announced the business was being wound down with 12,000 job losses. | In December, its owners announced the business was being wound down with 12,000 job losses. |
End of an era as final Debenhams shops to close | End of an era as final Debenhams shops to close |
Debenhams pictured through the years | Debenhams pictured through the years |
Sad demise of 'Harrods of the North' | |
After lockdown, 97 stores reopened to allow the last stock to be cleared, and they have gradually been closed over the last two weeks. | After lockdown, 97 stores reopened to allow the last stock to be cleared, and they have gradually been closed over the last two weeks. |
The last outlets have been plastered with sale signs, offering a mish-mash of items, from bikinis to cafetieres, at bargain basement prices. | The last outlets have been plastered with sale signs, offering a mish-mash of items, from bikinis to cafetieres, at bargain basement prices. |
Debenhams was an anchor store, especially in many mid-sized town centres, such as Mansfield, where it opened its shopping centre-based site in 1976. | Debenhams was an anchor store, especially in many mid-sized town centres, such as Mansfield, where it opened its shopping centre-based site in 1976. |
Shelves were empty in the cosmetic department this week, while boxes of left-over coat hangers were free to anyone who wanted them. | Shelves were empty in the cosmetic department this week, while boxes of left-over coat hangers were free to anyone who wanted them. |
But as the shop entered its final few days of trading, there were more customers than there had been for some time, said shop staff. | But as the shop entered its final few days of trading, there were more customers than there had been for some time, said shop staff. |
They recalled that in its early days, the store sold a huge range of goods, from loft ladders to greenhouses. | They recalled that in its early days, the store sold a huge range of goods, from loft ladders to greenhouses. |
"It was so thriving in the 1970s and 80s. On a Friday afternoon, it was really buzzing with the girls from the factory," said Glenis Thompson. | "It was so thriving in the 1970s and 80s. On a Friday afternoon, it was really buzzing with the girls from the factory," said Glenis Thompson. |
Its closure would leave "a big big hole in the town", said Julie Howe, another former Debenhams worker. | Its closure would leave "a big big hole in the town", said Julie Howe, another former Debenhams worker. |
"It isn't all about online and Covid. The company lost its way, which is very sad," she added. | "It isn't all about online and Covid. The company lost its way, which is very sad," she added. |
A postcard showing Debenham & Freebody department store in London, circa 1905 | A postcard showing Debenham & Freebody department store in London, circa 1905 |
Debenhams traces its roots back to 1778 when William Clark opened a shop in London's West End, selling fabrics, bonnets and parasols. | Debenhams traces its roots back to 1778 when William Clark opened a shop in London's West End, selling fabrics, bonnets and parasols. |
By the 1950s, it was the biggest department store in the UK with 110 sites. | By the 1950s, it was the biggest department store in the UK with 110 sites. |
However, in recent years, the shift to online shopping ate into sales and the business floundered. | However, in recent years, the shift to online shopping ate into sales and the business floundered. |
It was put up for sale last year, but in the end, the brand will survive online as part of the internet-only fashion firm Boohoo. | It was put up for sale last year, but in the end, the brand will survive online as part of the internet-only fashion firm Boohoo. |