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Original poster

When's the last time you went in an actual Debenham's store?

259 replies

1stDecember · 01/12/2020 18:07

It was half a decade ago for me. I don't buy from them online either.

They don't seem to have moved with the times?

OP posts:
RickOShay · 01/12/2020 18:54

Good for children’s stuff. Ds’s coat is from Debenhams, it’s really nice and thick. Good quality. It’s a shame.

GreyHare · 01/12/2020 19:01

I used to go regularly but only for the Clinique/Chanel/Dior/Benefit counters but our local one closed at the start of the first lockdown, the rest of the place was a dreadful jumble sale and the blue cross sales were awful as it was all really old dead stock dragged out year after year, I used to love the homeware dept and spent my wedding money on really expensive saucepans and a Denby dinner set.

Our city centre is dying, with the old BHS store still empty, Debenhams gone, Jaeger, Topshop and Oasis gone and several other stores that have pulled out, it's dreadful sad.

InTheNightWeWillWish · 01/12/2020 19:01

Late January, which is one of the last times I was on the high street. DH needed a new suit. Next and Burton currently only seem to have skinny style suits in and they don’t fit over his calves (he’s a cyclist). Pretty much only used Debenhams for DH’s suits and cheap work shoes for me though.

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General shopping
vanillandhoney · 01/12/2020 19:02

About eight years ago. It was a brand new store, so actually quite nice inside, but it was so overpriced. I did buy a pair of sunglasses though!

ilovemydogandMrObama · 01/12/2020 19:03

MIL always gets me Debenham vouchers for birthday and Christmas.

Not sure what she will do now Hmm

Peachy1381 · 01/12/2020 19:03

Ages ago. Last time I was was with my partner, he was looking for a shirt or something. All the mens clothes looked like they for really old men and that was all they had so we left without buying anything. Tried to order something online there years ago and the service poor. Sometimes I'd pick up a bit of make up if I was going past but I don't think it really moved with the times. So sad for all those who are going to loose their jobs though. And those at Arcadea, really hope Phillip Green puts is hand in his pocket for thier pensions.

dementedma · 01/12/2020 19:04

Often. I have got some great bargains in the sales in there and like their stuff

Vicliz24 · 01/12/2020 19:05

I often bought make up there and actually bought my wedding dress from them in 2008 . Not bought anything but make up since though . Mainly because my closest is Nottingham and it's an actual nightmare once you leave the ground floor .

GellerYeller · 01/12/2020 19:05

Between lockdowns to return an online order on behalf of DD. It was so tired I expected to find Mrs Slocombe in there. Actually it made Grace Brothers look high tech. But I'm sorry for the staff.

CoronaIsWatching · 01/12/2020 19:07

I used to go in to collect my amazon parcels from there before i discovered amazon locker

SquirmOfEels · 01/12/2020 19:07

In the run up to last Christmas. Lovely shop. Shame it's gone (our nearest two had both closed as part of the earlier cull before today's announcement)

I also went to the big one on Oxford Street last summer as I needed a ball dress, and unlike just about every other department store it actually had an evening wear department (as opposed to having to trail through every concession)

A couple of years ago it sold the revival Aqua Manda and I made a trip specifically to get it

nitgel · 01/12/2020 19:07

Sat before lockdown in oxford st. Bought some lovely dune boots which were sold out everywhere but they had in store. The sales assistant was lovely and it makes me sad that this store willclose.

Nohomemadecandles · 01/12/2020 19:09

The one in the Trafford Centre used to have good sales.
But we walked out in disgust last time went to our local one. The service was shocking. Truly awful.

jambeforeclottedcream · 01/12/2020 19:10

Last Christmas, went into browse didnt buy anything

Medianoche · 01/12/2020 19:11

It’s the shortest route between the bus station and the library, so before March I went through quite often, (but rarely bought anything).

H1978 · 01/12/2020 19:12

Probably a couple of months ago but it felt odd as all the makeup counters and perfume counters were closed. Dd got a sequinned cuddly, I didn’t get anything.

Ordered a raincoat a month ago and placed an order online yesterday. The things are still pricey in the sales so don’t shop as much I used to when dcs were younger.

JimmyJabs · 01/12/2020 19:25

I used to go in fairly regularly for a look around, but I can't remember the last time I bought anything there. It was generally a place of last resort when I was looking for wardrobe basics like a winter coat, bras, proper work shoes etc - but they never seemed to have what I wanted. The coats were all polyester, the bras always had cheap-looking embellishments, the shoes were poorly made with flimsy soles. And there seemed to be very little Debenhams branded clothing left, it was all Principles and Dorothy Perkins, which have long gone down the cheap 'n' nasty route.

Muddledupme · 01/12/2020 19:25

I went in last Xmas to buy underwear but despite loads of stock I gave up as they had lots of plus sized knickers with petite sized bras. I look at their cosmetics as I'm walking through but I only buy in duty free.

MillieVanilla · 01/12/2020 19:26

I don't think I've been in a Debenhams since 1994, and that was with my nan
We had a huge one in Reading and nothing in the window made me think I must go in there.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 01/12/2020 19:27

Some time in the late 80's

jocktamsonsbairn · 01/12/2020 19:29

In the summer, got lots of bargains in the sale including loads from phase 8. Thinking about it, it's normally the concessions we buy from in there. Will be sad to see it go though.

NorbertMeubles · 01/12/2020 19:34

Last month. It was like being in Grace Brothers in Open All Hours.

PirateCatQueen · 01/12/2020 19:35

Couple of years ago. Went in to buy some Chanel no5 as an Xmas present. The lady was really sweet, she was her first day and took such extra care over wrapping it as it was her first “official” present rather than a practice one. It was just one of those little things that made me really happy.

S0CKS · 01/12/2020 19:36

Only thing I buy is tights from there last time I went in they literally had zero tights, other than that last time I went in was to pick an order of mens shirts up I will miss them husband loved them at the 75% etc off as they was great bargains. Other than that it was good for a trip to the loo.

AlexCabot · 01/12/2020 19:40

Ages ago. The last one I went in was Lincoln and I walked out after ten minutes as it was boiling. I was visibly sweating and feeling quite dizzy so I legged it.

I've never really liked department stores as they usually have very little natural light, especially on the upper floors and it makes me feel quite uncomfortable.

I generally found Debenhams to be overpriced and badly laid out. The customer service was often quite lacking too.

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