Name chosen for former Debenhams building in Worthing after dozens respond to developer's appeal

In October, Paul Craig – founder and director of Craig Developments – invited the public to help name the former Debenhams building in Worthing. The South Street building is currently still known by its old department store title.

After a planning application was approved in September 2023, Debenhams is set to be turned into 80 one and two-bedroom flats. There will also be new shops and a gym as part of the development.

The project is set to be complete by winter 2026, with elements potentially finishing earlier, particularly on the Marine Place side.

The appeal for name ideas – shared exclusively by the Worthing Herald newspaper and Sussex World website – had a great response, with more than 50 people sending in their suggestions.

After careful consideration, Paul and his business partner Ralph Gilbert decided to name the development ‘The Debenaire’ – inspired by Worthing resident Davina Leahy.

The competition winner, Davina, met Paul at Marine Place on Wednesday to pose for a photo in front of what will be ‘The Debenaire’ – holding some of the original letters that were on the Debenhams store.

These original letters will be refurbished and form part of the new signage and logo as a nod to the building’s former guise.

Davina said: “The name literally just popped into my head and I said to my husband, what do you think about this?

“Debenhams has got to be in it somewhere, because it's history, isn't it?

"I was born here. I moved away when I was four, came back when I was eight, and I've lived here ever since. So it's lovely to be chosen.

“I'm really proud, actually.”

Asked if she has fond memories of the old Debenhams store, Davina said: “I used to go there all the time. I miss it terribly.

"Lots of our friends used to go in there, and we all miss it really. It was just always there – that and Beales.”

Paul thanked the Worthing Herald readers who responded to the appeal.

"There was really good engagement from the public, with a great mixture to choose from,” he said.

"Davina’s entry stood out purely because it was a clever play on the former name of the building but brought in a new word.

"I think the word she chose really suits the grandeur, opulence and old-school feel of what we are creating and of what it was. It very much describes the fact that we're trying to take the building back to its art deco former self, but also the scale of the building as well.

"I think the name stood out because it blends everything about what we are creating and working on, perfectly.

“The fact that Davina is a Worthing resident through and through and clearly cares so much about the building – which I can relate to as my mother worked at Debenhams – is the icing on the cake. Congratulations goes to Davina!”

Davina will later be invited to a celebratory naming ceremony and ribbon-cutting moment.