End of an era for shoppers
SHELVES EMPTY FAST AT CLOSING TOWN STORE
PICTURES taken inside Mansfield’s “anchor” Debenhams department store show shelves emptying with just a week left until it closes. The large store, in the Four Seasons Shopping Centre, will close its doors for the last time next Wednesday after decades of trading in the town.
It is among dozens of the company’s branches to be closing this month as its trade moves online.
Debenhams was bought out by online retailer Boohoo earlier this year, saving its brand and stock but not the physical stores.
Many feared the large department chain would never reopen again, but the retailer opened up on April 12 for its final closingdown sale.
At Mansfield, sale prices of up to 80 percent off have caused lots of the remaining stock to be snapped up by customers.
The popular perfume and aftershave department was almost emptied, with popular brands like Gucci selling out.
Other departments had sales of clothes and gifts, while there was also a large sale on brands like Warehouse in-store.
A Debenhams spokesperson said: “We are now heading into the final days of our closing-down sale and this is the very last chance for our customers to take advantage of some incredible deals.
“With up to 80 percent off across our remaining stores, customers are urged to shop now while stocks last.
“Over the next ten days, Debenhams will close its doors on the high street for the final time in its 242year history.
“Our sincere thanks go out to all of our colleagues and customers who have joined us on this journey.
“We hope to see you all one last time in stores before we say a final goodbye to the UK high street.”
News of the closure was greeted with sadness in Mansfield, as residents remembered the heyday of the shop.
Clipstone resident Wayne Swiffin said: “It’s a shame to see it go. “I think there have been some staff there for decades and so I hope they find employment elsewhere.
“I recall taking my eldest son, now 19, to the cafe on Saturday mornings when he was a very little.
“We’d have a nice breakfast and back then there was a little play area where he would go toddle off to. “Debenhams was a good place to nip into to buy Christmas and birthday presents or get T-shirts and shorts for a holiday.”
Holly Scott, 32, a shopper in the town centre, said: “It’s a massive store for the town, I’ve been going in as long as I can remember.
“I went in the other week to grab some perfume on a bargain, but also just to go back in and look inside for the last time.
“The shopping centre won’t look the same without it there.”
Debenhams’ closure follows the end of trading for other major retailers in the shopping centre, including Topman, Topshop, Burton and Thorntons.