Fareham To Get Debenhams After All

After a deal to build a huge new Debenhams in Fareham fell through last year - now it's all back on again.

The council's told Heart a store even bigger than the one originally planned will open in the shopping centre next summer - they've now sorted out all the legal issues.

Councillor Seán Woodward, Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, says it’ll measure about 28,000 square feet.

The newly re-named Fareham Shopping Centre Car Park, alongside Debenhams and Bhs and leading directly into the Centre, will be completed in time for the store opening.

Councillor Woodward says:

“Debenhams is fantastic news for Fareham and we now have a great line-up of retailers to attract shoppers to the town.   With the recent opening of Next, and with Tesco arriving next year, Fareham is once again demonstrating its enviable position in the retail marketplace.  With Debenhams opening coinciding with the completion of the adjacent undercover car park I am sure this will prove popular with shoppers visiting Fareham and the Centre.”

Debenhams’ Head of Property Phil Monaghan, says:

“We begin work on the new department store in the latter part of January and it should open in the middle of next year.  We look forward to bringing our ranges to Fareham and will announce the store concept nearer the time.” 

Centre Director of Fareham Shopping Centre, Pam Marsden, on behalf of the owners Fareham Trustees Ltd says:

“The good news is that this is no longer a Debenhams Desire but a Debenhams department store with two trading levels which will be much better for our shoppers.  Work starts in January and we look forward to working with them to complete the store for the summer.”

More news of the store’s departments and concessions together with planned dates will be given as the project develops.