More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Home Folkestone News Article
A campaign to save a doomed Debenhams has hit a brick wall, after bosses confirmed the store will definitely close.
Grandmother Jean Spain sprung into action earlier this year following news that Folkestone's flagship store will close its doors in 2020.
Along with husband John, Mrs Spain took to the town centre daily and collected more than 1,000 signatures for their campaign.
This was sent, along with an accompanying letter, to head office asking chief executive Terry Duddy to reconsider the closure and think about the impact it will have on the town.
Mrs Spain has since received a reply - reaffirming the news that the department store in Sandgate Road will definitely close.
Mrs Spain said: "We received a letter of thanks from Mr Duddy, stating that the decision to close the store had not been taken lightly but, in order
for the company to have a profitable future they had weighed up the store performance and location.
"Unfortunately, the Folkestone store and higher level of costs would mean rising losses, which the business could not afford.
"I am disappointed, for the staff and the people of Folkestone. This will affect a lot of people.
"At the moment the initial shock that it is going has worn off, but come autumn time people will start thinking about it and the difference it will make when it's not there."
In April it was announced four Kent stores are among 22 that will close next year as part of Debenhams’ debt restructuring plans.
Hours after the announcement, Folkestone and Hythe District Council unveiled plans to revitalise the shopping district in the town, including opening a cinema at the Debenhams site.
Mrs Spain added: "We hope that whoever takes over the building will do so as soon as possible, following Debenhams's departure.
"We would also like to thank the thousand plus people who signed our petition and the hundreds more we spoke to about their memories of the
store's early days and also of when it was Bobby's."
