One of the world's leading business forecasters warns the closure of Debenhams will create a feeling of depression and decline in Canterbury city centre.

The store was revealed today as one of four in Kent - one of 22 nationally - earmarked to shut next year if proposals to close stores are approved by creditors.

University of Kent Professor Richard Scase, a leading academic in business and sociology, says the impact on the city will be significant and create anxiety for other traders.

"It's such a large store in relation to neighbouring stores," he said.

"Therefore if it's not replaced by another trader or company very soon this will lead to a huge gap in the appearance on the central shopping area.

"It's bad enough with Nasons being closed and the windows boarded up, so now to have other windows boarded up for some time on the other side of the street will have a massive visual effect, creating a feeling of depression, a feeling of a city centre in decline, and that's going to be very bad for Canterbury as a shopping destination.

'The closure of Debenhams will have quite adverse effects' - Professor Richard Scase

"It's severe in terms of employment and jobs, as a shopping experience, but also from a psychological and sociological point of view - the closure of Debenhams will have quite adverse effects."

Prof Scase says its potential closure, which forms part of the retailer's debt restructuring plan to revive the chain, also sends a message of anxiety to other traders and small independent businesses who may become reluctant to invest in the sector.

But he admits while department stores are a thing of the past, shops specialising in a limited range of products such as sports and leisurewear are growing.

Lisa Carlson, chief executive of Canterbury's Business Improvement District (BID), insists the Debenhams closure is not the death of the high street and that Canterbury will continue to be a vibrant place.

"From a national perspective we know that retail is shrinking, but I think the really important point here is that retail's not disappearing," she said.

"It is transforming and we're seeing that here in Canterbury.

"What's surprising landlords is the interest is there - there are stores closing but there are still a lot coming in.

'There are interesting things we can do even when talking about big spaces - it is doable' - Lisa Carlson

"The turnover is perhaps higher than it was but we're still seeing a lot of interest in Whitefriars, in the Cathedral area and a lot of interest along St Peter's Street."

She says businesses are also working hard in the city to drive the experience economy.

"We talk about online but consumers, whether it's online or physical, are going to shop on price, choice and convenience, but actually there's a fourth factor - the experience they have.

"Canterbury has a tourism economy, a higher education economy and we're a retail centre. I don't think that's going to change."

She says looking around the country, there are interesting things happening at big sites such as food markets in warehouse-type buildings in London and pop-up retail in a bank in Manchester.

"Let's talk about what we do with our vacant units. Right now we have the Philharmonia Visual Orchestra in a vacant unit in St Peter's Street.

"There are interesting things we can do even when talking about big spaces - it is doable."

She says often with vacant sites there is work going on behind the scenes or they are under offer.

"The picture is different to what we see," she said.

"The interest is probably there in the Nasons site - we just don't know about it yet."

The planned closure of the 22 Debenhams stores, which also includes Ashford, Chatham and Folkestone, puts 1,200 jobs at risk.

It follows the downfall of the beleaguered chain, which fell into a pre-pack administration earlier this month.

Shoppers in the city centre say they are not surprised that Canterbury is one of the stores set to close.

Julie Kersey, 65, said: "I was expecting it. So many of the high street shops are shutting.

"With Nasons also shutting recently, it’s terrible for the town.

"It’s difficult because so many people go online to buy things now, but you do like to go in the store to see things, not everybody wants to do it online.

"I live in Deal, so I choose between coming here to Canterbury or Westwood Cross.

"Westwood Cross is good because you park for free and have all the shops around you. It’s ideal for a quick shop there.”

Shopper Bob Cotton, 68, says it is bad news for the city.

"A lot of high street shops are against the wall and we’re all guilty of shopping online, which isn’t helping," he said.

"It’s sad really, but it’s the way it’s going these days. Wherever we visit there are lots of shops closing. Whenever I look for clothing, Debenhams is the place I like to go.”

Sarah Barnes, 36, says Debenhams is an outdated store, making the news unsurprising.

"It is a shame, but it hasn’t kept up with the times. It will affect me slightly because I do come here mainly for children’s toys and clothes," she said.

Lucia Laskowski, 35, says she was surprised by the announcement.

"I’m quite sad about it because Canterbury is quite a big city and it should have shops like it," she said.

"There are a few really good things I buy in Debenhams, like clothing or cosmetics. I’ll probably buy them from Fenwicks now or get them online.”

Silvia Esposito, 33, added that she prefers shopping online anyway.

"There’s more choice," she said.

"Especially for clothing, there are more styles on the internet.

"I think that here in Canterbury it’s difficult to find different things - you tend to find similar clothes.”

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