Corrie star opens Blackpool Debenhams store

10:00am Thursday 21st August 2008

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By Tyrone Marshall »

The first stage of a shopping revolution in Blackpool starts today with the opening of the department store Debenhams.

After two-and-a-half years’ work the Houndshill Centre’s £30m revamp is now complete, with the centrepiece Debenhams store the first to open its doors.

The 70,000 sq ft store, which has cost £6.5m to fit out and is the first department store in the town in 15 years, opened at 10am, by Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine, who plays factory girl Fiz.

John Holt, the manager of the Houndshill, said: “When I first came here 10 years ago there were plans afoot to revamp the centre, so it has been a long and occasionally difficult journey.

“The last two years since work has started on the centre have been tough but every time I walk down the mall now I see the place getting better and better.

“Getting the flagship store of Debenhams to sign up was our most important task and we have a great relationship with them. The store looks fantastic and by virtue of them being here we have managed to attract other major high street retailers.”

The project to transform the Houndshill has seen the centre treble in size and retail giants such as River Island, H&M, New Look and Next will be opening in the next two weeks, as well as a brand new food court.

Coun Peter Callow, the leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Debenhams and the Houndshill is now a magnificent building and a real asset to the town.

"This is going to be the cornerstone of Blackpool’s regeneration.

“People used to come here to shop all the time but we’ve gone backwards while our competitors have progressed, but this work at the centre can change all that.”

Mr Holt added: “I’m a very proud and very tired man today. The team that we have here have done a brilliant job on the centre and the retailers that have signed up have also been fantastic, it all looks wonderful.”

The Houndshill estimate that the transformation of the centre will see annual footfall increase by at least 30 per cent, taking it past 10m visitors a year.