DEBENHAMS will shut its doors for the final time today in the chain's 243-year history.

The department store in Churchill Square in Brighton is among the 28 remaining stores across the UK which will close for good later today, after the company collapsed amid the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

It closed 21 of its sites across the UK for the final time on Thursday.

The store has been offering up to 80 per cent off all fashion and home and up to 70 per cent off beauty and fragrance products.

A spokesman said earlier this month: “We are now heading into the final days of our closing down sale and this is the very last chance for our customers to take advantage of some incredible deals.

"With up to 80 per cent off across our remaining stores, customers are urged to shop now while stocks last.

"Our sincere thanks go out to all of our colleagues and customers who have joined us on this journey.

“We hope to see you all one last time in stores before we say a final goodbye to the UK high street.”

The retailer has suffered slumping sales in recent years as shoppers moved away from traditional department store models.

However, the enforced closure of sites during the pandemic was the final straw, resulting in the company falling into administration within weeks of the virus fully hitting the UK.

The company then started its liquidation process at the start of this year after failing to secure a rescue sale.

Debenhams, which employed more than 20,000 people before the pandemic, sold its brand and website to online giant Boohoo for £55 million in January but confirmed its bricks and mortar business would close for good.

It reopened sites from April 12 after the reopening of essential retail in order to clear stock across its stores.