Construction work on the new Debenhams department store is well underway at Parkway.

The two lift shafts for the new 77,508 sq ft, full range department store have now been completed.

Work has also commenced on the steel structure for the store, which will be three times larger than the existing Debenhams store in the Kennet Shopping Centre.

Still no movement on digging out the new car park though. Can't wait for that bit....it should cheer us all up no end.

Quoted from Meddler

Still no movement on digging out the new car park though. Can't wait for that bit....it should cheer us all up no end.

This is taken from their latest press release:

"Excavation of the car park area will begin in September, as the dewatering of the site progresses well."

A bit weird....like building a house before you put the foundations in.

I do hope the dewatering doesn't have to be reprofiled.

Quoted from Administrator

This is taken from their latest press release:

"Excavation of the car park area will begin in September, as the dewatering of the site progresses well."

Are they dewatering already and if so, where is it going. If and when they pump it into the Kennet, I suspect we might see a different colour flowing towards Reading. There's a lot of water down there I suspect.

I wonder with Debenhams moving that it will kill off the Kennet Centre?

Quoted from GMR

I wonder with Debenhams moving that it will kill off the Kennet Centre?

I wonder who will occupy the current Debenhams unit in Kennet Shopping once they've moved to Parkway. Some giant 'discount' shop, I assume.

Primark, perhaps?

Perhaps that is why Wilkinson are not interested in the old Woolworths.

Quoted from misc

I wonder who will occupy the current Debenhams unit in Kennet Shopping once they've moved to Parkway. Some giant 'discount' shop, I assume.

Primark, perhaps?

I do know that Primark is popular in Newbury.

It's certainly popular in Reading. So much so that it's almost impossible to navigate the pavements of West Street without being run into by a fashion conscious, psychopath of a mother dragging a number of her unfortunate offspring in a pushchair.

Quoted from GMR

I wonder with Debenhams moving that it will kill off the Kennet Centre?

Kennet Shopping if you please.  And IMO it died a long long time ago.

Quoted from GMR

I do know that Primark is popular in Newbury.

You are probably right, judging by the amount of chavs carrying Primark bags around Christmas time on the trains.  I always chuckle to myself that somebody is going to wake up on Christmas day to a lovely Primark sweater, t-shirt, jeans, trousers, socks etc etc............happy f**king Christmas!

Quoted from GMR

I do know that Primark is popular in Newbury.

You are probably right, judging by the amount of chavs carrying Primark bags around Christmas time on the trains.  I always tchuckle to myself that somebody is going to wake up on Christmas day to a lovely Primark sweater, t-shirt, jeans, trousers, socks etc etc............happy f**king Christmas!

Quoted from Gumpo

You are probably right, judging by the amount of chavs carrying Primark bags around Christmas time on the trains.  I always tchuckle to myself that somebody is going to wake up on Christmas day to a lovely Primark sweater, t-shirt, jeans, trousers, socks etc etc............happy f**king Christmas!

So bad you had to post it twice.  If Primark took a premises in Newbury, wherever it was, it would be the busiest place in town. I've shopped in there, so have many people I know and none of them are, as you so kindly put it, chavs. I'd rather have a Christmas gift from Primark than a grumpy nature.

Quoted from 133

I'd rather have a Christmas gift from Primark than a grumpy nature.

I got given a Grumpy Nature......can I take it back?


Threep

Quoted from Gumpo

You are probably right, judging by the amount of chavs carrying Primark bags around Christmas time on the trains.  I always chuckle to myself that somebody is going to wake up on Christmas day to a lovely Primark sweater, t-shirt, jeans, trousers, socks etc etc............happy f**king Christmas!

Primark is popular with teenage girls, whatever their social status.

Quoted from misc

I wonder who will occupy the current Debenhams unit in Kennet Shopping once they've moved to Parkway. Some giant 'discount' shop, I assume.

Primark, perhaps?

Primark took over the old Owen Owen unit in Basingstoke, which is larger than the Kennet Shopping Debenhams.  

Quoted from Threepwood

I got given a Grumpy Nature......can I take it back?


Threep

No, it looks good on you  

Quoted from 26

Primark is popular with teenage girls, whatever their social status.

I would say it is popular with all sorts or ages. male and female and all sorts of social status.

That's the key here isn't it, social status, it's not really about 'chavs'? When people use this term they generally mean people who they look upon as beneath them. Not very nice is it?

Quoted from GMR

I do know that Primark is popular in Newbury.

I have been into Newbury every day and i still cant find Primark, so where is it.  

Quoted from 133

I would say it is popular with all sorts or ages. male and female and all sorts of social status.

That's the key here isn't it, social status, it's not really about 'chavs'? When people use this term they generally mean people who they look upon as beneath them. Not very nice is it?

I would agree that it is popular with all sorts and ages, however, whereas some people might find the odd one off gem in there e.g. cheap work shirts, the majority of the stuff is cheap poorly made tat that looks naff and will fall about after a couple of washes.  No it is not all about social status but these type of low budget shops have a habit of attracting a certain demographic.....if you don't believe me hang around outside the one in Reading for 5 minutes.....you'll see.  If a Primark comes to Newbury then good, I like to to shop in all sorts of places and variety is good.  However, if it goes in where Debenhams is now then FactFile might aswell rename Kennet Shopping the Mos Eisley Cantina.

Quoted from 26

Primark is popular with teenage girls, whatever their social status.

Not an expert on the term chav but I think it crosses all classes.  Often I find it is linked to the clothes people choose to wear or the type of car they drive, young teenagers are normally top chavs.  Primark is also very popular with pikeys    

Quoted from Gumpo

I would agree that it is popular with all sorts and ages, however, whereas some people might find the odd one off gem in there e.g. cheap work shirts, the majority of the stuff is cheap poorly made tat that looks naff and will fall about after a couple of washes.  No it is not all about social status but these type of low budget shops have a habit of attracting a certain demographic.....if you don't believe me hang around outside the one in Reading for 5 minutes.....you'll see. .

It would seem that you speak from experience,. You have knowledge of washing their products and you hang about outside the Reading branch.

Quoted from Gumpo

However, if it goes in where Debenhams is now then FactFile might aswell rename Kennet Shopping the Mos Eisley Cantina.

Superb!

"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious!"

Quoted from Gumpo

Not an expert on the term chav but I think it crosses all classes.  Often I find it is linked to the clothes people choose to wear or the type of car they drive, young teenagers are normally top chavs.  Primark is also very popular with pikeys    

Regardless, I do know that a couple of weeks ago a department store sized Primark opened in Bristol and there were queues to get in. I'd imagine the KC would much rather have a Primark than a Debenhams.

Quoted from 26

Regardless, I do know that a couple of weeks ago a department store sized Primark opened in Bristol and there were queues to get in. I'd imagine the KC would much rather have a Primark than a Debenhams.

I think you are right, it is a sign of the times.  

Quoted from 133

It would seem that you speak from experience,. You have knowledge of washing their products and you hang about outside the Reading branch.

The 5 mins was for you as you seemed a little slow on picking these things up, I notice immediately and don't hang around for fear of personal safety.

Here is an updated picture: