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.
17. A sneak peek inside Debenhams as it prepares to open its doors for the first time in 1986 Photo: Archive
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18. The large windows were a big attraction of the Debenhams store in the Fishergate Centre, Preston. This image was taken in 2000 Photo: Ian Robinson
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19. The Mayor of Preston cuts the ribbon to officially open the Debenhams store in 1986 Photo: Norman Wiggins
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20. The large display windows draw shoppers in to the Debenhams store inside of Fishergate Shopping Centre Photo: Archive
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