Ikea, John Lewis, an indoor market? What should replace the Debenhams unit in Crawley? Readers have their say
It has been nearly five years since Debenhams in Crawley closed.
The huge department store, which took up three floors of County Mall, closed on May 8, 2021, and the unit has been lying empty since.
Inside the shopping centre, independent stalls sit outside where the first floor entrance used to be and on the ground floor tables and chairs from Italian Kitchen reside outside.
But wouldn’t it be great to see something open in the empty Debenhams space? But what could fill the enormous square footage?
We asked our readers on Facebook what business or retailer they would like to see to come into town – and we had a huge response with more than 230 comments.
Here are a selection of suggestions.
Ryan Baker said: “An IKEA store like the one in Brighton would be an amazing investment in the area, especially for increasing the jobs market in Crawley.”
Teresa Stanford suggested: “Zara and marks and Spencer. Split the floors up it has 3 floors could share rent etc makes sense.”
Clare Clilverd has really thought about this. She said: “M&S food and clothing on 2nd floor near carpark so you can use trolleys, 1st floor Home Bargains, Ground floor maybe a John Lewis outlet or a bigger Dunelm. You can get at least 3 stores inside one and it needs to be occupied as the space has been neglected and apparently is damp inside and needs a complete refurb.”
Adam Guthrie said: “Always thought it would be good for a massive M&S, Zara (combine clothes and home) or dare I say it, John Lewis.”
Waghorn Sonia wants to see Primark expand: “Primark should take it over, add in their cafe and extend their homeware, make it similar to their flagship stores in London and Belfast. I think they would make a killing and bring people from outside areas in bringing business to the town. We don’t need another cheap home bargains, b&m style store in town.”
Ronnie Folkes said: “Something that would employ a hell of a lot of staff & be very useful to everyone in the community.”
Another big retail space in the town is the Morrisons store and Josephine Marsden had a suggestion for both. She said: “A John Lewis and put a Waitrose in the old Morrisons.”
Jane Schultz said: “Bring back Debenhams . They are doing a great trade online.”
Tevye Kirton suggested: “John Lewis, M&S, IKEA or even a Fenwicks (so people don’t have to travel to Tunbridge Wells or Kingston).”
Amin Khan had an interesting suggestion. They said: “Sick of big companies, chicken shops, barbers, Costa/Starbucks, Poundlands etc.. Why don’t we have indoor market spanning 3 floors.. similar to Camden market .. selling everything and anything.. from local fruits/vegetables to clothes, textiles, food .. all local vendors.. celebrating Crawley as a community bringing community together with foods stalls/music/fashions.”
Anthony Young said: “You need a big name store like Frasers. It would attract a better class of shops and hopefully it would help regenerate the town centre.”
Andrew Brimelow said: “Gravity Max like the one in Liverpool. Massive entertainment place with bowling, go karting, batting cages, arcades, AR darts, mini golf and loads more.”
You can see more comments on our Facebook post here and why not have you say.