Sunday Mirror

Sorrow as store hits a Deb end

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DISCOUNTS The store in Newcastle

NEARLY two and a half centuries of high-street history ended in tears last night as Debenhams closed its doors for the final time.

The chain, opened in 1778, shut its last 27 stores as new owner Boohoo makes it online-only.

Staff wept as they served the final customers, with prices for remaining stock cut by up to 80%.

At Cardiff’s St David’s shopping centre branch, many shelves were empty by mid-morning and staff hugged as the shutters fell.

Mum Nicola Rice, 35, who has worked in the Sheffield store since leaving school, said: “It’s so sad.”

Shopworker union Usdaw wants an urgent retail recovery plan after 180,000 job losses last year.

Boohoo paid £55million for Debenhams’ name and website but not its 118 stores and 12,000 staff.

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