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Shoppers in Bury St Edmunds give their reaction as it is announced Primark is opening in Debenhams store




Shoppers in Bury St Edmunds town centre have shared their views after the arc shopping centre confirmed a Primark store would be opening next year.

Primark will be opening in the arc's flagship building, which used to be a Debenhams, while an Everyman cinema will also be launching in the basement of the store.

Outside the landmark building in the arc, shoppers were mainly positive about the announcement with many people saying it will be 'great for the town centre'.

Though concerned about the environmental impact of fast fashion, Kaitlyn Johnson, 17, said: "I do like Primark so it will be nice to shop there as it can be hard to get to the one in Norwich."

Ben Winser, 26, who was shopping in the arc with his son, agreed and said: "Primark is good value for money for kids clothes, I am looking forward to not having to travel to Ipswich or Cambridge to shop there."

He joked: "It might mean that everyone in Bury ends up dressing the same though."

Archie Cameron, 18 and Kaitlyn Johnson, 17 were excited about Primark opening in Bury St Edmunds.Picture: Suffolk News
Archie Cameron, 18 and Kaitlyn Johnson, 17 were excited about Primark opening in Bury St Edmunds.Picture: Suffolk News
Thumbs up for Primark from Reggie Winser, 3 and his dad Ben Winser. Picture: Suffolk News
Thumbs up for Primark from Reggie Winser, 3 and his dad Ben Winser. Picture: Suffolk News

Louise Dumican, 60, of Bury St Edmunds, was shopping with her mother-in-law Maria Dumican, 79, and normally shops at Primark stores in London.

She said: "I will definitely shop there, we need to attract shoppers to the town."

Maria, of Sicklesmere, agreed and said: "All the shops in Bury St Edmunds are too expensive, I only really shop at Marks and Spencer."

Phoebe Lyons, 23, who comes from Thetford to shop in Bury, said the decision to open a Primark 'makes sense'.

L- Maria Dumican and her daughter-in-law Louise Dumican outside the building which will become Primark. Picture: Suffolk News
L- Maria Dumican and her daughter-in-law Louise Dumican outside the building which will become Primark. Picture: Suffolk News

Miss Lyons, who works in advertising, said: "I think it is great how Primark have little pop-ups in store like Greggs and beauty salons.

"Primark are fighting for relevance in a time of fast fashion and they are becoming like a cheaper department store – like a Selfridges for cheap fashion."

Lorna Wakerell, 40, from Bury St Edmunds: said: "It is great for young people in the town as it gives them an affordable shopping opportunity.

"Personally I would have liked a John Lewis or something like that, the town is missing a shop like Debenhams."

Primark will be opening in Bury St Edmunds in 2023. Picture: Suffolk News
Primark will be opening in Bury St Edmunds in 2023. Picture: Suffolk News

On the Bury Free Press Facebook page there have been plenty of comments about the news that Primark will be opening in 2023.

Louise Emily Cowen, posted: "This will bring so many shoppers! Brilliant decision!"

Heather Kempton added: "Great news for the town, job creation, Bury is nicer for shopping than Cambridge now."

It is hoped Primark will give Bury St Edmunds town centre a boost. Picture:Suffolk News
It is hoped Primark will give Bury St Edmunds town centre a boost. Picture:Suffolk News

One shopper was disappointed the store, which is due top open by the end of 2023 wouldn't be opening sooner.

Kelly Asker said: "The end of next year, they have been working in there for months.

"What is going to take another year before it opens?"

Bradley Hawkins-Row wasn't so happy about the news, he posted: "Major boost for where sorry? The Town Centre? No not at all... more reasons for people to not go any further than the arc."



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