Primark to open in Bury St Edmunds at former Debenhams in arc shopping centre

Primark is set to open at a flagship store in Bury St Edmunds creating around 90 jobs.

The fast fashion retailer will move into the ground and first floors of the former Debenhams at the arc shopping centre and is expected to open before the end of next year.

It follows months of speculation and demand from shoppers across West Suffolk with thousands joining the Primark for Bury St Edmunds Facebook group.

Philippa Nibbs, Primark UK Director of Sales for London and the South East, said: “We know people in Bury St Edmunds have been calling for a local Primark for a while now, so we’re delighted to finally be able to confirm our plans for the town.

"We’re really looking forward to becoming a part of this great community and bringing new and existing customers the Primark products they love.”

Allan Hassell, arc centre manager, said “There has been much discussion and excitement amongst the local community as to the future of our previous Debenhams unit at arc shopping centre.

"The addition of Primark is a marvellous opportunity for Bury St Edmunds and one I’m sure our shoppers will be thrilled to receive.

"We are excited to monitor the forecasted positive impact this new store will have on the shopping centre and town of Bury St Edmunds, and look forward to announcing further developments soon.”

Rumours of Primark opening in the town first emerged when the retailer was named in a document linked to proposals for an Everyman Cinema in the basement of the empty department store.

Plans for the cinema, which is set to contain a small bar/restaurant, were approved in August.

It will feature four screens and a smaller screen for private hire with 306 seats in total.

Debenhams shut in May 2021 when the struggling department store disappeared from the high street following a multi-million pound takeover of the brand which excluded its shops.

The retailer was the arc's flagship store and opened at the launch of the shopping centre 13-years-ago.

Shoppers in the town have shared their views about the confirmation the shop will be opening in the town centre.

Meanwhile, Bury St Edmunds Mayor Peter Thompson has praised those behind the 'Primark for Bury St Edmunds' Facebook group.

Primark employs more than 70,000 people in 14 countries, with 191 stores across the UK.

The company was founded by Arthur Ryan in 1969 as Penneys in Dublin.

The first UK store launched in Derby in 1973.

The world’s biggest Primark opened in 2019 in Birmingham, featuring five floors, and more than 160,000 feet of retail space.