Deal for Debenhams to return to Fareham now complete

Councillor Sean Woodward, Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, announced today that Fareham Shopping Centre is bringing a Debenhams department store of nearly 28,000 square feet to the town next year. Debenhams was originally due to come to the Centre some time ago and, now that all outstanding legal matters have been resolved with Debenhams, an „Agreement for Lease‟ has been signed for an even larger store than the one originally intended and is planned to open in summer next year. 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. -Ends- Words: 316 Notes to the Editor To contact Fareham Borough Council call Sue Mills, PR & Marketing Manager, call 01329 824518. To contact the Centre Director of Fareham Shopping Centre call Pam Marsden on 01329 822506. Fareham Shopping Centre is located on the south coast and has over 80 big name stores such as Marks & Spencer, Next, Bhs, Boots and Monsoon and a variety of restaurants and cafes on offer. Visit www.farehamshopping.com for further details.