The opening of the new Debenhams store in Lichfield has drawn in the crowds.
Shoppers packed around the entrance to the store as the doors finally opened at the Three Spires Shopping Centre this morning (May 16).
A cheer went up as the ribbon was cut by fundraising Lichfield firefighter Sharron Finch.
Shoppers were then able to browse the new-look store, which has filled the void created at the flagship site since the collapse of previous occupants TJ Hughes.
Other local retailers will be hoping the arrival of Debenhams will provide a continued footfall boost as the city looks to bounce back from a series of high-profile closures in recent years, including Burton, Currys, Woolworths and the Sony Centre.
Have you visited the new store yet? Tell us what you thought of it in the comments section below…
Went into town around mid day. Could not park had to wait while a couple RAN back to their car parked in a disabled bay.
The Three Spires was busy and a lot of people in Debenhams.
Difficult to get round the store with a manual disabled chair.
It looked clean and bright.
There was a long queue waiting to pay for goods.
We then went to the lift – waited a very long time for it to come – full of young girls/women with children and push chairs.
Up to the canteen – packed – it looked like there was a way to another sales area but could see no way past the obstacles of push chairs and people.
At this point we gave up – waited again a long time for the lift to get out.
We then asked the opinion of two retired people and two ladies in there late 30.s -not a scientific survey – the first two ” no room to see any thing” the other two “not as good as tj,s”.
What did we think of it. As it had a lot of young women with kids i presume it is aimed at the young folk.
If today is representative of how busy they will be in the future – i wish them well – but it will be without us.
Thrilling . I’m not a fan of a department store full of expensive clone shops. It will soon calm down when they realise how boring and mundane Debenhams is. Certainly not anything like TJ Huges.
Chris you always get rude people using the lift that are perfectly capable of walking.
When i deliver to offices I ask where’s the stairs. There’s a lift there they reply. I can’t help thinking I’ve been graced with legs that work, I want to use the things whilst I still can ta very much. You need a big stick n whack em out the way .
I like the girl who plays a nun on the scooter in that OAP comedy sketch show. Blasts her horn, get out my way !
I know how you feel as I push mum about in her chair. She’s 84 with parkinsons but still very with it and very nosey, she wants to see EVERYTHING in a shop. Some its virtually impossible, its mm to spare each side of the displays. Not good, not welcoming