The Essex Debenhams stores with new uses - and the ones that are still empty

After more than 200 years of trading on UK high streets, Debenhams closed the doors to all of their stores up and down the country three years ago in 2021. The retailer's financial woes and later administration meant a number of large, sometimes historic, buildings have remained empty ever since.

This is the case for many of the former Debenhams stores in Essex, from Chelmsford to Southend-on-Sea. Some of these sites have since been given fresh starts with brand new stores in their place, but others remain vacant waiting patiently for some love to be shown in their direction.

In some cases, big brands like Marks and Spencer and The Range have stepped in to fill the giant spaces left by their predecessors. But for other units, they remain a sad, empty site to this day. Some are looking at potential new futures, while others remain uncertain.

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Below are all the previous Debenhams stores in Essex, and what they have now become.

Romford

The former Debenhams store in the Romford Shopping Mall was turned into Aklu Plaza, a three-storey shopping centre packed full of food and household essentials. According to their website, the Romford site was the company's biggest store and boasted "the largest range of food and household essentials from across the world to cater all customer needs".

However, the lease was ended in January this year and for around six months the former Debenhams once again remained empty. But in June 2024 it was relaunched once again as Home Store, a multi-purpose retailer which sells bedding, clothes, kitchenware, furniture, rugs and various other household items.

Chelmsford

From May 2021, the Chelmsford branch of Debenhams was empty. But in December 2023, a long-awaited store from The Range finally opened in its place. Huge queues of customers formed outside the store from as early as 7.30am on opening day, bracing the cold and frosty conditions to be the first to get a look inside the vast double-floored store which boasts 16 different departments, including a full-on Christmas section for the festive period.

It was previously expected to open in the summer after undergoing renovation works to prepare the 80,000-square-foot space. Sections within the store include DIY, kitchen and dining, bathrooms, tech, furniture, pets, clothing, health and beauty, children, arts and crafts, and an "extensive" garden department. The store also has direct access to the Bond Street car park, along with its own loading bay, with options for click and collect and deliveries home to customers.

Basildon

Debenhams in Basildon was formerly part of the Eastgate Shopping Centre. Now, plans have been greenlit to transform the unit into a new health centre which will cater for both NHS and private patients. The facility will operate with extended hours and "completely revitalise" Eastgate Shopping Centre with aims of bringing "significant footfall" from the town centre to keep the shopping centre "thriving".

Basildon Council has approved the planning application and work can now begin to transform it into the new centre. However, further reviews and approval will be needed by the Care Quality Commission before the health centre can be up and running.

Southend

Debenhams in Southend was located in the Royals Shopping Centre at the bottom of Southend High Street before the retailers went bust. The store's space in the complex remains vacant with no-one yet to fill the space.

In 2023, plans were announced to turn the vacant unit into a hub for small businesses to grow and develop. But just months later the plug was pulled from the project, and the shop remains empty. As of August 2024, there are no concrete plans for the space and its future remains uncertain.

Colchester

Colchester's former Debenhams unit sits on Culver Street, in the centre of the town. The unit is set to undergo a massive transformation with the likes of a go-karting track, Boom Battle Bar and mini golf course to be included.

The plans are still being developed and the centre has not yet opened. The plans for the go-karting replacement were first submitted back in March this year by developers M&G, which said it would create 50 new full-time jobs.

The motorsport arena will be located on the second floor inside the shopping centre and will join the likes of Boom Battle Bar, Putt Putt Noodle, and Flip Out. The venue would be operated by Flip Out, which is on the first floor.

Lakeside

The former Debenhams site at Lakeside Shopping Centre is now a M&S store. This shop was part of a £20million investment by the shopping centre and opened in the spring of 2023. M&S moved from its former location into the unit. Shoppers will find M&S clothing and home departments as well as a brand new food hall where they can get hold of all the latest delicious products.