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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To still miss Debenhams?

103 replies

ssd · 15/03/2023 10:48

I know its been shut ages but i still miss a wander round it. And i loved wallis, and a few others which are only online now.
Its not the same shopping online.
I used to go myself and have a good wander. It was comforting and familiar. I'd buy things too.
I miss it.

OP posts:
MMBaranova · 15/03/2023 11:39

There were trousers my dad used to get there on visits to the UK that he can't find a replacement for. The fit and style was apparently just right to last him a lifetime.

Toddlerteaplease · 15/03/2023 11:42

I agree. It was great for a wander round and could usually find what you wanted.

GettingStuffed · 15/03/2023 11:43

I loved Debenhams, I bought some really good menswear there, including my favourite ever jumper.
Rd shop I miss most through is C&A, last time I went to Prague they had one there.

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 15/03/2023 11:44

I worked there years back and it was shit. But I do miss their bras and Mantaray.

They were doomed for a long time, I'm amazed they clung on as long as they did.

Campervangirl · 15/03/2023 11:45

Me too, I loved their swimwear, it actually fit

Mentalpiece · 15/03/2023 11:47

I miss having a wander round the big department stores, such as Debenhams, Alders and BHS.
I could spend an entire afternoon just browsing round them all and stopping for a coffee and cake.
Somehow going to John Lewis and Marks just isn't the same unless I'm going for something specific rather than a good old nosey.

AuntieMarys · 15/03/2023 12:04

The one in Wimbledon was grim.

MrsMoastyToasty · 15/03/2023 12:12

I miss the one in Bristol. It was there for years. I had my ears pierced there as a child and was still going there for clothes and housewares in my 50s.

potniatheron · 15/03/2023 12:15

I always thought Debanhams was a bit crap but in Cardiff there used to be a department store called Howells (might have just been a Welsh thing I don't know). Anyway that was quite good. But department stores have had their day. I hate the big mall style shopping cventres they have now, they're stressful and horrible.

PuppyMonkey · 15/03/2023 12:16

I used to really like the (new) one in Derby and the cafe did bloody lovely breakfast.

QueefQueen80s · 15/03/2023 12:20

Weird to think of such big stores completely gone. I miss BHS and woolworths mostly.

Dragonfly97 · 15/03/2023 12:22

I've found my thread!! I loved a day out shopping in Debenhams; Bhs for lunch in the cafe, loads of clothes shops in the 90s, I miss Topshop & Miss Selfridge, C&A! It was lovely walking through the perfume & makeup hall in Debenhams, shopping online just isn't the same- I miss the experience of a day out, trying on clothes, sampling perfume, it was something I looked forward to and saved up for. I wonder if it'll ever come back!!

thenightsky · 15/03/2023 13:08

There are some things that are impossible to buy on line.

  1. Perfume.
  2. Bras.
  3. Shoes and boots.
Original poster
ssd · 15/03/2023 16:18

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 15/03/2023 10:54

YANBU to miss your Debenhams.

The Debenhams in Glasgow though was a depressing place though. Pokey and corridor like.

Pokey, the one on argyle st was enormous

OP posts:
Flojoohno · 15/03/2023 16:20

Agree. I used to enjoy looking round the kitchen stuff and the scarves etc

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 15/03/2023 16:21

ssd · 15/03/2023 16:18

Pokey, the one on argyle st was enormous

Show quote history

it was long and narrow and yes, pokey. Awful lighting too.

Original poster
ssd · 15/03/2023 16:22

Nah, can't agree with you there

OP posts:
IWasFunBeforeMum · 15/03/2023 16:24

Miss it in the 80s/90s but the last few years it was just so sad in there.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 15/03/2023 16:26

You don't have to agree with me. You can mourn its passing and I can wonder how it managed to stay open for so long.

EasyLifer · 15/03/2023 16:26

Me too! I used to get a lot of Christmas presents there, all in one shop, so only had to queue once. Our town has no department stores now.

AcornGreen · 15/03/2023 16:27

I was never a big fan but I’m lucky enough to live in a city with other department stores.

I do miss the old high street though. So many shops are gone and there are fewer places to have a wander round to see things and get inspired.

A few years ago there wasn’t enough time on a Saturday afternoon to look in all the shops you’d want to. Now I’m bored after an hour.

PurplePansy05 · 15/03/2023 16:33

I really miss it! Especially the beauty counter and also I always used to browse their sales when buying shoes and dresses for events. I miss the shop and their brands, the current online selection is awful, not the same quality at all. Such a shame.

PurplePansy05 · 15/03/2023 16:35

potniatheron · 15/03/2023 12:15

I always thought Debanhams was a bit crap but in Cardiff there used to be a department store called Howells (might have just been a Welsh thing I don't know). Anyway that was quite good. But department stores have had their day. I hate the big mall style shopping cventres they have now, they're stressful and horrible.

Howells is closing down too (it was House of Fraser more recently). We only have JL left now, bad times. Other department stores were great.

bellac11 · 15/03/2023 16:36

I do miss it but not as much as BHS, I used to get huge amounts of homeware in there, their bedding was great as was their lighting department. Such a shame

Pottedpalm · 15/03/2023 16:39

I never liked Debenhams, iur nearest one was messy and poorly laid out. I do miss House of Fraser though. We now have nowhere to buy shoes in the town centre ( Clarks moved out to the shopping park and Jones closed). Also nowhere for hood quality bedlinen and homewares. Apart from food, M&S has moved to the shopping park too. We just get more coffee shops…