Following the news that Boohoo is set to acquire Debenhams, questions have been raised about what this means for its Basingstoke store.

The three-storey Festival Place department store has been a firm fixture of the town since the shopping centre opened in 2002. 

But currently, management of the shopping mall are unable to give any details about what might replace the vacant store.

The department store staged a closing-down sale nationally in December following the news it went into administration.

And in Basingstoke, before the town entered a third national lockdown, eager shoppers queued for the discounted goods.

The store is now closed, along with all other non-essential shops.

The chain continues to trade online, however. With shoppers able to buy goods which will arrive within ten working days, with the next-day delivery option no longer on offer.

A spokesman for Festival Place remained tight-lipped about whether they have secured a new tenant for the soon-to-be vacant unit.

They said: "Debenhams continues to trade as normal at Festival Place." 

 As previously reported, Boohoo is planning to acquire the Debenhams brand for around £55million.

But crucially, the online fashion retailer doesn't want any of Debenhams physical stores and will instead trade through the brand's website. 

The cut price deal will see over 12,000 staff laid off and remaining of the department stores closed.

The deal is expected to be announced soon.

The 242-year-old department store chain went into administration in November. Although there were talks with JD Sports for a deal, it had collapsed in early December.