Aug 26 - Gibraltar Bids Farewell To BHS And Welcomes Debenhams
- End of an era as BHS closes down after 31 years on the Rock
- New partnership with Debenhams announced
- Debenhams Home store to open in September
- ICC department store to open in February 2017
- All local jobs secured in new deal
International Franchises Limited has today announced the cessation of trading in both its BHS stores at the ICC and Main Street and an exciting new partnership to bring the UK department store Debenhams to Gibraltar.
Debenhams, the UK’s oldest department store, which was established in 1813 has swiftly stepped in to take over two BHS sites bringing its unique mix of Designer products, exclusive own brands and international brands to the region. The move sees Debenhams strengthen its international presence adding to its portfolio of over 240 stores in 27 countries and provide an injection of ‘best in class’ retailing to the Gibraltar high street.
The Home store, a new format for Debenhams, will open early September 2016 with an offer which includes exclusive collections by established designers, Matthew Williamson, Julien MacDonald, Jasper Conran, John Rocha and Ben de Lisi. At this stage, only the facade will change and the store will receive a full refurbishment in late 2017.
Due to tight timeframes, the main store at the ICC will undergo redevelopment and will open with a ‘pop-up’ Christmas store trading from late October to mid-January on half of the floor space followed by the launch of a modernised department store in February 2017 carrying the full Debenhams offer of womenswear, menswear and childrenswear, lingerie, swimwear, accessories and beauty. The partnership secures the jobs of all employees formerly working in the BHS stores and, also provides Gibraltar consumers with “unparalleled choice, value and quality from a host of attractive and exclusive brands.”
George Russo, Director of IFL says, “Securing Debenhams as a retail partner to take over the two BHS sites is a real coup in many ways for us. Not only have we been able to secure a considerable number of jobs but we are also delivering an improved retail offer to the Gibraltar public which is bound to have a positive halo effect on the high street shopping within the region which is good news for the wider Gibraltar product.”
David Smith, International Director for Debenhams says, “We are delighted to be entering the Gibraltar market to introduce our unique mix of Designer and own brands to the region. We are confident that the Debenhams presence will raise the bar in terms of shopping experience for the Gibraltar customer.”
The move will see Debenhams enter the Gibraltar market for the first time and will complement online sales already delivering to the region. The brand already has a presence in other European territories including the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Latvia, Estonia and Russia as well the Middle East, South East and South West Asia.
IFL have issued a number of artists impression of the facades of the stores in the new Debenhams livery which will be installed in Gibraltar subject to planning and landlord approvals.
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