Readers will be aware of the imminent demise of the highly respected Debenhams department stores, and probably have been receiving communications regarding their closing-down sales. It was one such email announcing up to 70 per cent reductions which led me to look into the history of the Debenhams chain of stores. To my surprise I then found that High Wycombe had at one time a very strong link to Debenhams. This was a furniture-manufacturing company located in Slater St which was owned by Debenhams. This is its story.
The Early History of Debenhams The origin of Debenhams was as a provincial department store group based mainly in seaside towns on the south coast of England called Bobby & Co. This group was founded by a Frederick Bobby and began in 1887 when he bought an established drapery store in Margate, Kent.