Gloucester’s biggest department store will open on Wednesday months after lockdown.
Debenhams, which is in Kings Square in Gloucester, occupies the largest retail building in the historic city centre and overlooks the Square.
News of its reopening comes a day after people flocked to the city as non-essential businesses and shops welcomed back shoppers three months after they were ordered to close.
Huge queues formed outside the likes of Primark, Sports Direct and TK Maxx in the city centre, while elsewhere at Gloucester Quays people waited patiently outside Nike to get their hands on new clothes and sporting equipment.
Like many other businesses, the store closed its doors back in March and things won’t be quite how shoppers remember with the likes of Perspex screens being implemented to help with social distancing.
Steven Cook, managing director at Debenhams, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming customers back to our stores in the coming weeks.
“From the installation of Perspex screens at till points to the roll-out of social distancing procedures and PPE, we have been working hard to ensure our colleagues and customers can work and shop with confidence.
“Our reopening plans follow the successful conclusion of lease negotiations on 120 stores, meaning that the vast majority of our stores will be reopening.”
Last month, Debenhams said it will cut hundreds of head office jobs as it looks to drive a turnaround in profitability.
Debenhams was already struggling before the lockdown and fell into administration on April 9 in a protective measure against creditors demanding their money.
Since the coronavirus pandemic shut all non-food retailers, the department store has announced the permanent closure of at least 12 stores, with thousands of job losses.
Debenhams moved to the building in the early 1970s after Bon Marché occupied the site.
