What now for Carlisle City Centre with Debenham's closure? With the closing date of Carlisle’s Debenham’s store confirmed as tomorrow (May 12), many shop owners, residents and townspeople are wondering what will take its place – and what it will mean for the future of Carlisle as a whole. The building has been a landmark to many Cumbrians over the years as a central and integral part of Carlisle’s retail identity. Carlisle city councillor Paul Nedved, said about the issue: “The closure of Debenhams is not just a blow to our retail market, but 120 others up and down the country, and we will be facing the same challenges as them and in the current Covid climate will make it that much tougher. However, I’m extremely confident that we will bounce back.”