Debenhams set to leave Redditch and the future of its remains.

After over 18 years in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, Debenhams will be closing down in Redditch.

Debenhams in the middle of a closing down sale

It comes after the news that Boohoo had completed a takeover of the 243 year-old company and announced plans to permanently close down all of its stores around the UK.

Boohoo is one of the leading Online fashion websites that has seen sales rise due to the sudden change of traffic as Gen-Z customers are favouring shopping online with better sales instead of leaving the house.

Online shopping has helped make shopping easier

This  that Debenhams will no longer be seen in the high streets as it joins Woolworths, C&A, Littlewoods, BHS, Blockbuster and many more stores in the High Street graveyard.

The Kingfisher Shopping Centre has also suffered many closures in the last five years.

They lost BHS in 2016, Marks & Spencer in 2018, Druckers Café in 2019 and Jessops Cameras last year. Many of the stores shutting down due to high rent costs or restructuring plans.

Many employees at the store were saddened by the loss of the once popular chain and spoke about their memories on many social media apps.

@Rhysaphine

The closure of Debenhams has made many people question what will happen to its remains after it shuts.

Though not many rumours have been spread online, a company named 15:17 has managed to buy former Debenhams stores in Ayr, Grimsby, Cardiff and many more locations.

On their website, their goal is to rejuvenate the high street by making their stores offer more than just clothes with salons, cafes, kid’s play areas and even a farmer’s market inside.

Other stores such as John Lewis, House of Fraser, Dunelm Home or even Matalan could make itself a home after the store shuts.

However, it has not been doom and gloom for Redditch’s shopping centre. They opened a food court with Nando’s Prezzo, Kung Fu & KFC in 2017; the Range opened in the old BHS store and Next are relocating to the former M&S store to double their size.

Even though Debenhams has bit the dust with Boohoo rebranding the name online, the store will be reopening after lockdown and will possibly shut around March.

The term ‘Shop until it drops’ may be true for the department store, yet its successor could surprise shoppers and might rejuvenate the shopping experience once again.

Inside Redditch's Debenhams, November 2020