What will replace Debenhams in Basingstoke? BASINGSTOKE bid a fond farewell to Debenhams on Saturday as the department store closed its doors for the last time. The chain has been a flagship store in the town’s shopping centre since 2002, but the huge three-story unit now lays empty inside Festival Place. So what will replace Debenhams? Across the UK, new exciting developments have been announced to take over former Debenhams stores. The old Debenhams site in Bournemouth is set to be replaced with Bobbies, where locals will be able to enjoy a new microbrewery, market style pods, an art gallery and a spa.