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Original poster

I still miss Debenhams

65 replies

ssd · 19/10/2023 10:51

Especially at Christmas time, wandering around all the lovely displays, seeing the gift sets and the sparkly tops

Its such a shame its gone. M&S and john lewis are nice but they aren't as Christmassy as Debenhams. Not that I'm shopping for Christmas yet but i was just thinking how Debbie always put me in the mood. Online just isn't the same.

OP posts:
Original poster
ssd · 19/10/2023 10:52

Debbie?!? Debenhams i meant

OP posts:
billthefrog · 19/10/2023 10:54

Me too.

BarbieKew · 19/10/2023 10:56

Me too. We’ve lost House Of Fraser and an independent department store in our city too, only John Lewis remains of the original four and it’s just not the same.

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General shopping
AnyFucker · 19/10/2023 10:57

Me Too

Pancakefam · 19/10/2023 10:58

I still miss BHS. Loved their Christmas section

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 19/10/2023 10:59

It was a really good ‘go to’ store. I loved their shoes and could quite easily get size 8. Great selection of designers and stores like Wallis, Phase Eight, Coast et al. The fragrance counters had a great selection.
Sadly, my hometown store was always being shoplifted and it was very obvious with ppl just walking in and then walking out with arms full of designer handbags 😞

BarbieKew · 19/10/2023 11:00

Pancakefam · 19/10/2023 10:58

I still miss BHS. Loved their Christmas section

BHS messed up selling crap clothing. If only they’d stuck to homewares, their lighting dept was brilliant!

LolaJ87 · 19/10/2023 11:00

Me too, I loved browsing their gifts coming up to Christmas, they did the best wrapping paper sets as well.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 19/10/2023 11:00

Oh yes, BHS Christmas decorations were something different, I still have loads of them.

Bonjovispjs · 19/10/2023 11:02

I still miss woolworths, would do all my Christmas shopping there.

Oldthyme · 19/10/2023 11:04

BHS, Debenhams, House of Fraser all gone.
I miss them all.
I liked BHS jumpers for work. Loved their lighting dept.
I liked Debs for bedding, undies and shoes.
I liked H of F for smart occasion wear.
Come back. All is forgiven.

Mama822 · 19/10/2023 11:04

I miss Woolworths, wimpy and pizza land

Cadburysucks · 19/10/2023 11:14

There was so much choice before, the high street was so lively. Really good cafes in them too, where you could meet friends/family, do your shopping.

FussyPud · 19/10/2023 11:20

The one thing I miss is the lingerie department. I’m fat, and few other places make bras in bigger sizes. They even sold the odd one or two that weren’t white, black, or a poor ‘nude’ variant too.

At a push I’d say the benefit brow bar was a loss too, but only one specific team member, who had a talent for natural shape and tint.

Mrsjayy · 19/10/2023 11:22

Yes I Do I got most things there we don't have a JL here so it's not like we have that luxury. Christmas perusing isn't the same!

Daisymay2 · 19/10/2023 11:30

I'm sore that M&S moved their town centre store into an out of town shopping centre, such a debacle. Parking is horrendous and public transport there virtually non existant. My choices for getting there on public transport are 3 buses or 2 buses and a train!

I miss Debenhams and BHS for homeware, bedding and lighting. They also did blue short sleeved school shirts back in the day. I am already missing Wilko- gardening stuff.

ErrolTheDragon · 19/10/2023 11:36

Yes, it was the only department store in our town. The other shops don't have brands and a variety of different things under one roof. It was generally good for petites. And I loved MantaRay. Maybe it's available online but I much prefer being able to try things on, so many clothes look fine in a photo or on a hanger but don't fit well. Bras and shoes are worse...

I don't miss Woolworths, other shops emerged and filled the gap (though now one of those, Wilko, has gone under too).

Alighttouchonthetiller · 19/10/2023 11:36

I miss Debenhams, circa 2001. The clothes were wonderful. Their 'Spirit' range was brilliant for work.

Sagittariusrising · 19/10/2023 11:43

I feel your pain OP. I loved Debenhams and it was my town's only proper department store. Their homeware was excellent and I also loved Mantarey. Our M&S also shut so nowhere to browse at all.

Like other posters I'm already missing Wilko - gardening stuff, bird food and homeware. Our town centre is a desolate place now.

timetorefresh · 19/10/2023 11:43

Oh I used to love a trip to Debenhams and BHS. I remember picking up loads of bargains in BHS Christmas eve as a teenager

Cannas · 19/10/2023 11:43

Me too. I was out with a friend this week and we were both wearing old favourite jumpers from Debenhams.
There are virtually no clothes shops near me, Debenhams was a real oasis for middle aged women like me. online clothes shopping is awful. Nothing fits and everything disappoints.

friggingnora · 19/10/2023 11:45

I miss Debenhams too. And we lost our John Lewis Sad

zoom1982 · 19/10/2023 11:52

Oh I miss Debenhams so much! I remember buying a beautiful black fine wool polo neck sweater from the Jasper Conran range in the mid 90's. That sweater got me hooked on Designers At Debenhams and I would buy a piece or two every month on payday. I still to this day have a wardrobe full of the most beautiful pieces from Jasper,Pierce Fionda,Betty Jackson,Rocha and glorious shoes by John Richmond. Some of the Pierce Fionda eveningwear is in the most fabulous silk satin and all of the garments are as wearable today as when first purchased. When I go back to UK and look at the high street shops now I could cry!

Alighttouchonthetiller · 19/10/2023 11:58

Betty Jackson did the most perfect black dresses.

CapitanSandy · 19/10/2023 13:14

Debenhams was such a one stop shop for my Christmas shopping with all the gift sets etc. No local department stores now and House of Fraser has been replaced by Flannels