CHRISTMAS shopping is in full swing, but one huge shop has left a gap in our yearly Colchester shopping dash.

The beloved Debenhams was a staple in the Colchester shopping scene right up until its closure in May 2021.

The shop in Culver Street West has been vacant ever since, and until recently, we had no plans for that to change.

Gazette: Iconic: Sir Bobby Charlton with fans in Culver SquareIconic: Sir Bobby Charlton with fans in Culver Square (Image: NQ)

The department shop once held significance in the city alongside Fenwicks, formerly Williams and Griffin.

Debenhams opened as the flagship retailer for Culver Square Shopping Centre.

Gazette: Opening: Jason Donovan at the opening of DebenhamsOpening: Jason Donovan at the opening of Debenhams (Image: NQ)

It has attracted a host of celebrities since its opening in 1987, which saw iconic Australian singer and actor Jason Donovan officially opening its doors.

Historic photographs in the Gazette archive show staff celebrating the opening with a glass of fizz and a large D-shaped cake.

Gazette: Celebrating: staff celebrating the opening of DebenhamsCelebrating: staff celebrating the opening of Debenhams (Image: NQ)

Mr Donovan brought crowds of screaming fans to Colchester for the big day.

In January of 1988, rare photographs captured football legend Sir Bobby Charlton playing ‘keepy uppy’ outside Debenhams with a crowd of young fans.

Gazette: Fun: Sir Bobby Charlton playing keepy uppys Fun: Sir Bobby Charlton playing keepy uppys (Image: NQ)

Other historic images show Santa’s visit to the department shop, photographed in Culver Square.

Also hidden in the archive is a photograph of the old walkway from Culver Square to Head Street which is where the current H&M shop now stands.

Gazette: Festive: Santa outside DebenhamsFestive: Santa outside Debenhams (Image: NQ)

It is hard to imagine a time before the reign of the clothing shop in its space.

Also, historically standing alongside Debenhams in the square was Woolworths, Adams, Hamells and C&A.

Gazette: Walkway: the walkway which is now H&MWalkway: the walkway which is now H&M (Image: NQ)

Other famous visitors to the square outside Debenhams included Lionel Blair and Roy Castle in 1988.

The news of the closure of the shop shook residents and the site has stood empty for more than two years.

The former Debenhams unit is one of the biggest in Colchester and many residents wondered what could replace it.

Gazette: Historic: view from the roof of Debenhams in 1987Historic: view from the roof of Debenhams in 1987 (Image: NQ)

But the future of the former Debenhams site is looking bright following news of plans to transform it into a leisure facility.

A Putt Putt Noodle mini golf course is expected to be build on the ground floor of the building alongside a Boom Battle Bar.

The first level is set to see another arcade installed as well as an indoor trampoline park.

The second floor will be the space for a large go-karting course. An opening date for the attraction is yet to be confirmed.