Readers react to Debenhams coming back to Manchester's streets after four years
Debenhams has returned to Manchester city centre years after its dramatic Market Street closure. In 2021, the flagship store was shut for good after the parent company of the brand collapsed.
While the giant former home of the department store is undergoing redevelopment work, bright turquoise signs for Debenhams Group have appeared on nearby Dale Street in the Northern Quarter. The signs have been put up by online fashion company, Boohoo, who bought the brand back in 2021 and turned it into an online retailer.
This month the business announced that it will now be rebranded as the Debenhams Group, after a "successful turnaround" of the once thriving department store. Boohoo was founded in Manchester in 2006 by Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane and became one of the city's biggest business success stories thanks to its online 'fast fashion'.
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Its other brands include Pretty Little Thing and MAN, run from its base in Dale Street. But the group has struggled in recent years, with sales falling as the company faces tough competition from rivals such as Shein.
In recent months the company has also had a row with investor Mike Ashley, owner of Frasers Group, who battled to join its board.
With Debenhams still thought of fondly in the hearts of many, many of our readers were quick to take to the comment section to voice their opinion on its return to the city centre and speak about their experiences with the brand since it went under new management and migrated online.
Commenting on Facebook, M.E.N reader, Christine Parkes said: "Love Debenhams used to go there a lot when it was on Market Street in Manchester." Karen Hennessy welcomed the news and simply said: "Great."
Victoria Grace added: "Not a brand I'm interested in buying from anymore..." Disgruntled customer, Fiona Edwards said: "They have been dreadful to deal with online, months awaiting a refund."
Andy Blower, who used to work inside the building on Dale Street said: "That was the old JD Williams offices. I used to work in there years ago."
In October last year Boohoo defied Mr Fraser and appointed Dan Finley, who had been leading Debenhams, as its overall group CEO. And this month Mr Finley announced plans to rename the group, with the slogan 'Debenhams is back'.
He said: 'The iconic British heritage brand, bought out of administration, has been successfully turned around. Rebuilt for the future and transformed into Britain's leading online department store.
'We've created a thriving community of brand partners with millions of consumers and we are growing rapidly. The most exciting thing is that we are just getting started. We see a clear path to scaling this into a multi billion-pound business with strong profitability.
"The successful turnaround of Debenhams is our blueprint for the wider turnaround of the Group. The turnaround of our Youth Brands is underway and will take time.
"I have inherited significant challenges. I can see their future potential as they evolve into fashion-led marketplaces and adopt a leaner operating model
"We go forward as Debenhams Group. This is a defining moment in our journey, reflective of our new strategy, new leadership and new beginnings.
"Debenhams Group is sharply focused on maximising value for all shareholders. It will be at the forefront of global digital retail. It will be a leaner, faster and more technologically advanced business. I am confident our best days are ahead of us and I am excited for our future.'
Manchester Evening News has approached Debenhams Group for comment.
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