At the time of opening, the new Debenhams was the flagship store of the newly-opened Fishergate Shopping Centre, which can still be found at the top end of Fishergate up next to Preston Railway Station to this day.
Debenhams as a business, however, can trace its roots all the way back to 1778, when it first began life and opened its doors as a drapers shop.
By 1950 it was the largest department store group in the UK, selling a variety of items - most notably clothes and cosmetics.
But in 2019 business took a turn for the worst for the chain store and it closed its doors on all shops around the country.
Debenhams now only operates as an online business.
13. The Mayor of Preston at the opening of the new Debenhams store in 1986 Photo: Norman Wiggins
National World
15. The Debenhams logo has changed a few times in the years it has been in business Photo: Archive
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16. In the year 2000 an Evening of Fashion and Beauty was held in the Debenhams Store. Here we see one of the models on the catwalk Photo: Kevin McGuinness
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