Last Friday saw one of the Royals Shopping Centre’s most-loved stores shut its doors for the final time. Debenhams first opened its doors along Southend High Street in March 1988 and quickly became a firm favourite with residents and daytrippers visiting to our seaside town. Online fashion firm Boohoo acquired all intellectual property assets of Debenhams from its joint administrators in January. However, the £55million takeover did not include the purchase of its shops. It led to tearful scenes inside the Royals on Friday and the Debenhams store found in the Eastgate Shopping Centre will follow suit on Saturday. We have delved into the archive to rediscover a selection of snaps from the Southend store through the years.
HOMES could be built on the former Debenhams store in the Royals Shopping Centre as a new owner is set to take over the site. The centre is being sold by Savills and the firm’s bosses say the store, which closed on Friday, would make a perfect spot for a restaurant and new flats with sea views. Business bosses have given a mixed reaction to the potential of homes replacing the former department store. Toby Ogilvie Smals, 43, director in the investment team at Savills, said: “The sale is quite close and the buyer is a shopping centre operator who is looking to invest and add value to the centre.
HOTLY-anticipated plans for a new Dunelm store in Southend have been put on hold with the Royals Shopping Centre still on the market. Plans were agreed in February this year for new Dunelm signs sparked excitement but have now been thrown into doubt. The homeware store would have been a huge boost to the shopping centre after Primark moved to the high street in October and Debenhams recent closure. With the shopping centre still on the market for £13.2million, plans have been put on hold until a deal is struck with new owners. Antony Tomassi, 65, director of Tomassi’s in Southend High Street said: “The town needs any business it can get and Dunelm is a good operator and would put new life into the Royals following the closure of Debenhams at the centre.
Debenhams has confirmed its Basildon store will close permanently next week. It comes as the shop in the Royals Shopping Centre, in Southend, will shut for the final time this Saturday (May 8). Bosses have announced 80 per cent discounts on all fashion and home items, while customers can get up to 70 per cent off on beauty and fragrance products. A Debenhams spokesman 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% off across our remaining stores, customers are urged to shop now while stocks last.