It became the anchor tenant at the Grand Arcade shopping centre, filling a huge unit.
However, it closed in 2021 when Debenhams went bust and stood empty for two years, before charity Rebuild With Hope moved into the large space to open what was dubbed “Britain’s biggest charity shop”.
Work is now taking place to convert it into the Stack hospitality and entertainment hub.
We decided to open our archives to look back at the staff who once worked there, the events that took place and visits from some famous faces.
21. Debenhams
Wigan schoolchildren entertain Christmas shoppers on Standishgate, outside Marks and Spencer and Debenhams, in 1984 Photo: Submitted
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