Debenhams receive keys to Parkway store

The retailer will now be able to fit out its 77,508 sq ft unit at the Newbury development

DEBENHAMS has now been handed the keys to its new anchor department store at Newbury's Parkway development.

The retailer will now be able to fit out its 77,508 sq ft unit at the mixed-use retail and residential project, which is scheduled to open in October.

The handover marks a major milestone for the project, with several other retail handovers set to take place in the coming months as part of the final phase of development.

Head of UK Retail at Parkway developers Standard Life Investments, Ed Jenkins, said: “We are pleased to have handed over the Debenhams unit which is a pivotal moment in the development of the scheme. Today's handover is a significant event that puts us well on our way to opening this autumn.”

The store manager of Debenhams in Parkway, Craig Shuttleworth, said the retailer was delighted to have been handed the keys, adding that Debenhams could not wait to open its new store.

Debenhams will be joined at Parkway by John Lewis at home, New Look, H&M, Topshop, Lakeland, Paperchase, Fat Face, Costa, Jones Bootmaker and Barclays, along with many other shops and kiosks.