DEBENHAMS CLOSING DATE IS CONFIRMED

A FEW WEEKS LEFT UNTIL SHOP SHUTS FOR GOOD

Ashford’s huge Debenhams store will shut for good in January, it has been confirmed.

Closing down signs appeared in the shop two months ago - but bosses have now revealed the final day of trading will be on Friday, January 24.

The County Square store - along with three others in Kent - will be handed back to the landlord on that day and will no longer operate as Debenhams.

Depending on how the closing down sale goes, the three-storey shop may shut at an earlier date.

Ashford’s Debenhams is one of four Kent stores on a 22-strong list of outlets to be axed across the country.

It will become the second major retailer to close in County Square in less than a year after Marks and Spencer shut up shop in April.

There have been rumours that it could be replaced by a Primark, which is a common request among Ashford residents.

When asked if the clothing giant will take on the unit, County Square retail scheme director Stacey Bell said: “The landlord has been approached by a number of interested parties in the Debenhams unit and we are unable to comment further as we are not party to the companies involved or the conversations taking place at this time.

“We look forward to these conversations potentially developing into a positive announcement in the future, and will certainly be excited to communicate information when appropriate.”

In April, Jo James, chief executive of the Sevington-based Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said the unit is big enough to cater for Primark.

“I would like to see another big chain come in there,” she said.

“Primark would attract people to the town.

“Debenhams is a very sizeable store, it would have the space to accommodate Primark if Ashford is a proposition to them, but it is in such close proximity to other stores, with stores already in Folkestone and Canterbury.”

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) says it has no plans to buy the store, which opened in 2008 and has been the flagship of the County Square shopping complex extension.

The shopping centre is owned and managed by investment company Kennedy Wilson, which bought the former Tufton Centre in 2013.

An ABC spokesman said: “While we continue to help Kennedy Wilson to develop its plans for the unit, it must be recognised that these are decisions being taken by retailers at a national level in response to market trends and challenges.

“Like most high streets up and down the country, Ashford is evolving its town centre offer with new developments like Elwick Place, Curious Brewery and Coachworks.

“The council approved the Ashford town centre framework in March 2019, setting out a programme of activity being taken forward to help the evolution of the town centre during this period of rapid change for town centres and high streets, and we will continue to work hard with partners, developers and landlords to improve the offer in Ashford.”

It is not yet known what the future holds for staff at the store, which will close along with stores in Canterbury, Folkestone and Chatham in the new year.

Come Friday, January 24 there will only be two remaining Debenhams in the county, with Gravesend and Broadstairs being the last couple standing.

■ What would you like to see fill the huge Debenhams store? Email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

The huge three-storey County Square store opened in 2008, but its future is now unclear

The Debenhams store has had closing down sale signs plastered over its windows for weeks