Memories of Weymouth department stores V.H. Bennett and Debenhams

We’ve turned back the clock to the days of V.H. Bennett in Weymouth before it became Debenhams and then we’re moving forward to when the new Debenhams opened in the New Bond Street development in December 1999.

Permission was given for the new Debenhams store to be opened six months early to catch the Christmas trade while other works were still in progress.

Building work in 1999

Several other big name shops followed, and a state of the art cinema was built for Cineworld.

Woolworths being built in 1999

Big opening of Debenhams in 1999

Advertising the new store by plane

Debenhams had previously had a store in St Thomas Street and St Mary Street, Weymouth, which they had taken over from old-established V.H. Bennett.

The whole development was carried out around the carefully preserved White Hart Inn, which was once the home of artist Sir James Thornhill, who painted the domed ceiling of St Paul’s Cathedral, London. On completion of the works in the summer of 2000, a time capsule was buried beneath a Millennium Stone.

Debenhams Furniture Store - closing down sale, February 1982

Here’s what our readers remember about V.H. Bennett and Debenhams.

Craig Oakes said: “Dad used to work in the Debenhams warehouse. Big boxes of chocolate bars used to appear in our house!”

Debenhams closing down sale, February 1982

Debenhams closing down sale, February 1982

Jackie Reed remembers a smaller shop selling fashion clothes.

Hazel-Ann Savage, who worked as a window dresser there in the early 60s, tells us: “There was VH Bennetts, Plummer Roddis boutique, a gents outfitters and a household shop before they became part of Debenhams, Edwin Jones and Bon Marche became part of Debenhams at the same time The ‘old style lift’ was the favourite part of the shop for Graham Ryan, who loved ‘going up and down looking for all sorts’.

VH Bennett, in St Mary Street, Weymouth

The shop was a great coffee stop for Fiona Weaver, who would go there with her dad in the 70s after doing the shopping in town.

Ann Story remembers getting her ears pierced at the shop while Becky Blake recalls going to see Father Christmas there (thinking it to be the real one, ‘naturally’ she tells us!) and losing her mum in the crowd.

“It was terrifying, made more so by Santa’s dodgy beard!” she says.

The shop’s counter with a fluorescent light that kept flickering is something Kristine Noatzke remembers. “I wouldn’t go near it,” she tells us.

Nikki Williams says: “I remember trying on a bright red jump suit that of course I couldn’t afford back in 75-76 whilst bunking school!”

The shop was a great source for gifts, Nicola Green tells us. “I used to go in there to buy my mum presents all the time after work on a Saturday with my wage packet.”

Judy Acreman remembers ‘a lovely shop called Hemming and Tudor’ opposite old Debenhams. “I bought an interview suit there,” she said.

Karen O’Connor tells us her auntie used to work there and Linda Hill also used to work there - in the ‘Just In’ department with Janine Riggs. She says: “I have very happy memories of the laughs we used to have.”

Thanks to Stuart Morris for use of video screenshots.