Debenhams plans expansion

Debenhams is to open Café Venues in all its new premises, as part of a plan to increase the number of stores by 10 per cent over the next five years.

The department chain currently owns 90 outlets across the UK. It plans to relocate four of them and open 11 new stores by 2004. All designs are in-house.

Already in 15 Debenhams, the company proposes to open the Café Venue cappuccino bars in all of the new stores, in line with its policy of having at least one food outlet within each store.

The chain’s other types of food offers are the Family Restaurant, the Style Café and Night and Day.

Debenhams spokeswoman Joanna Lane-Jones says: “Café Venue is an important element within new stores. It is aimed at families and appeals to all ages.”