...well some of us were starving so we decided to pop into Debenhams for a meal. You see some of us people that write on this site aren’t very well of (especially since the payments practically disappeared) and I in particular couldn’t really afford the luxury of somewhere like Pizza ... Read review
1-5 of 49 reviews of Debenhams (Department Stores)
Show all reviews
I am a VIP
Advantages: good food, baby friendly Disadvantages: not much seating space
...we decided to pop into Debenhams for a meal. You see some of us people that write on this site aren’t very well of (especially since the payments practically disappeared) and I in particular couldn’t really afford the luxury of somewhere like Pizza Hut.
Off we trudged through the shop towards the lifts………with one Pushchair and one of us using crutches we had no option but to use the lift as the restaurant ... ...they I can definitely recommend Debenhams restaurant to you.
Just two footnotes.
1. I know that I’ve said practically nothing about the store itself…..but I felt the restaurant itself warranted an op
2. Offy how dare you go off home without reminding me to pay you for the Roll and Chocolate??? I realised just after you left……….
... more
One fine crisp, winter morning in November four Ciaoers met up in Bedford for lunch and shopping. The four people in question were Offy, Enahs1, Wulise and Gwenick (that’s me!!) along with her 14 month son. It was 12 o’clock by the time we all met up and we were hungry……..well some of us were starving so we decided to pop into Debenhams for a meal. You see some of us people that write on this site aren’t very well of (especially since the payments practically disappeared) and I in particular couldn’t really afford the luxury of somewhere like Pizza Hut.
Off we trudged through the shop towards the lifts………with one Pushchair and one of us using crutches we had no option but to use the lift as the restaurant is on the 2nd floor. This motley bunch walked through the clothes, gifts, kitchen, glass wear, and various other sections on the way to the restaurant, via the lift of course….which was by the way very clean and fast.
On arrival at the food place I was struck by how busy it was (yes I KNOW it was a Saturday lunch time just a few weeks before Christmas – but it was still busy). My first thoughts were whether
A) We would find a table for four with enough space next to it for a pushchair, B) Did they have any high chairs, and C) If they did have high chairs would there be enough (as I could see several other pushchairs in there)
The restaurant was quite small probably seating (at a guess) around 50 people at a maximum. To get your food it was the ‘grab and tray, stand in the queue, choose your food, pay and then sit down and eat’ type job. The first food on the counter was the deserts……..very crafty! They looked very nice, although we all decided to wait until we’d eaten our main meal to get them. They had Lemon Meringue Pie, Carrot Cake and Danish Pastries to name just a few. Next to them was a small selection of rolls – mainly consisting of French Sticks – all priced between around £2 and £3.50. There was a sign saying if you couldn’t see what you wanted then you should ask, so I assume that other sandwiches and rolls are available. Next came the hot food – Jacket Potatoes are the only things I can remember off this selection….although I know there were others. There were a few toppings on offer but as Offy found out you can ask for ‘variations’. Next were the drinks – cold and hot. Most, if not all, of the cold drinks were serve yourself but the Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate were all served from behind the counter.
Once you’d chosen what you wanted to eat you had to pay, pick up your knifes, fork, spoons, napkins and sugar etc and find a seat. Everything was going fine until this point when we looked and realised there were no table for four left. Just in front of us we could see one single table but that was it. However, just seconds later a ‘waitress’ (well the plate cleaner I guess) came and asked whether we needed help. We told her our requirements and she promptly shot off and found another single table that she brought and put next to the one we had seen already. By this time I had already spotted a few children in high chairs, so I had an answer to questions A and B. The problem was (or so I thought) that several high chairs were already in use……would there be another one free? Yes! There was it was brought over and dumped next to the table.
It was a short, wooden high chair with a single cross bar, but no tray – very frustrating if your child isn’t eating out of a jar (or off a spoon) but is eating finger foods. At first it didn’t appear that the chair had a safety strap….but I discovered later that it did (it was hanging underneath). The chair itself looked clean – but felt a little sticky. On the back of the chair were the words “I’m a VIP” hence the title of this opinion. Looking around at this stage I spotted their notice. They offered free Heinz baby food (with an adult purchase), free warming up services, free bibs, free wipes and a baby changing facility (all be it on the next floor up!) as well as the high chair use. Now that’s what I call baby friendly – at that point I didn’t care what my Roll and Hot Chocolate tasted like………….they’d passed the most important test for anyone with kids – are you child friendly?
So what about the food? Well I’m afraid the only thing I ate was a French Stick with Egg Mayonnaise (priced at £2.25) and a mug of Hot Chocolate (at £.125). oh and a piece of Lemon Meringue Pie (£1.19 – I think). The roll was very tasty, although it had been sliced completely in half meaning that there was absolutely no way of eating it without bits falling out – they either fell out the bottom or shot out the sides. Maybe someone should suggest to them to only slice the roll part way. The hot chocolate was also excellent – I like my hot drinks quite sweet (2 sugars) but this one didn’t require any extra sugar – something which I’ve found very rarely in other places. The Lemon Meringue Pie was also very nice, although I did struggle to finish it as it was also very sweet. Apart from the fact that Offy ate a Jacket Potato and Wulise and Enahs1 also had food I can’t say anything more about the food – except to say that everyone finished the food on their plates – which is always a good sign.
After eating our food and chatting for a while (and my son leaving lots of bits of bread and meat on the carpeted floor) it was time to leave. But before we did a trip to the toilet was needed. In my opinion this is one of the most important things about ANY public place – the toilets. They were very cleverly situated quite close to the restaurant (but not so close that you had them staring you in the face). As we went through the first door (why do they insist on those silly double doors???) we saw the notice that there was a Parent and Baby Room on the Third Floor (please note ‘Parent’ and not ‘Mother’). That didn’t matter this time as Tafara was staying firmly in the pushchair.
There were about 6 toilets, three sinks, 2 soap dispensers and 2 hand dryers in the room. It wasn’t a particularly large room but it was big enough for people to be able to pass freely, and for me to be able to leave a pushchair outside the toilet without it getting in people’s way. The toilets themselves seemed to be fairly clean and there was also plenty of loo roll. There was soap in the dispensers and the hand dryers also both worked. However, the only problem I had was with the taps. They worker rather strangely (and I’ve never seen anything like them before!). There’s only one tap for each sink and behind each tap is a strange looking metal panel with a tiny picture on it (the picture supposedly tells you how to work it?!?!?). These taps work by running your hand in front of the metal panel – then the water (hot) comes out of the tap. I struggled to work it out so I’ve no idea how and elderly or blind person would cope!! Never the less, these toilets do get a thumbs up from me.
After the toilet trip it was time to leave and do some Christmas shopping (for me), Beanie shopping for Wulise and Enahs1 and Card and Shoe shopping for Offy. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced, child friendly place to eat they I can definitely recommend Debenhams restaurant to you.
Just two footnotes.
1. I know that I’ve said practically nothing about the store itself…..but I felt the restaurant itself warranted an op
2. Offy how dare you go off home without reminding me to pay you for the Roll and Chocolate??? I realised just after you left……….
Advantages: GOOD QUALITY GOODS UNDER ONE ROOF, LOTS OF CHOICE Disadvantages: NONE
Debenhams department store in oxford has recently undergone referbishment to the extreme.The old store had gone past its usefulness. The new replacement involved them using the shell of the building and working inside to create a new modern and stunning store.
As you enter one of the doors along george street,in front you will find clean tiled marble effect floors,escalators and glass fronted lifts.All very clean with safety buttons if needed.
... ...for about 3pushchairs at same time.
The store holds many items for you to purchase from and the staff are very helpful.
On the first floor you will find many accessories. Hair bands,slides,wig piecesfollowed by cosmetics... all different brand names too many to relay all here. Alot of well known makes eg chanel and elizabeth arden. Many times on shopping here I have found that they do very nice gift sets and will offer make-overs and give you tips. ...
linda01865 17.05.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Debenhams (Department Stores)
Advantages: Child friendly restaurant Disadvantages: Scary lift to get up to the restaurant
...can?) so full marks to Debenhams here too.
The only gripe i'd have with the particular branch we visited (Mansfield) was that to get to the restaurant you had to go out of the store and go up in the service lift, which was very scary - Jack screamed all the way up and Bev and I only managed not to because we were trying to be very grown up about the whole thing! It seems silly having such great facilities but having no way of getting to them.
All ...
lwperkins 03.02.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Debenhams (Department Stores)
Advantages: has everything Disadvantages: sales are manic
I am a fan of Debenhams they are my only local department store that I have in the area and when i go in there i am almost always guaranteed that i will find the item that i need.
Debenhams sells everything from ladies wear to mens wear, childrens wear, cosmetics, perfume, accessories, toys and homewear. You will always find what you are looking or in this department store.
In the Ladies department you will find the clothing brands Jane Norman, ... ...furniture and dvd players.
Debenhams also deal with gift cards, wedding lists and at the seasonal times of the year they have great gift sets too. The Christmas selection they have is great and normally has something to offer for everyone.
This department store is great it has everything under one roof, i have never has a problem with any items i have purchased.
I think when it comes to the fashion brands Red Herring is great it is reasonably ...
jo_field26 18.10.2008
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Debenhams (Department Stores)
Advantages: Central in most towns and cities Disadvantages: Likelihood of turning up somewhere with someone else wearing your outfit is high!
Debenhams has a bad reputation. Until recently I've passed it by when i've been shopping and not given it a second glance. Basically my opinion of it comes from the deep-rooted, and oh so painful, memories of being dragged around it as a moaning child, and then as a moaning teenager. In the past I've always considered the clothes to be grannyish and the shop decor, seriously naff! But now the chain has undergone an amazing transformation with the ... ...I eventually remembered the Debenhams ranges and found myself with three different outfits to choose from. I chose a John Rocha top and skirt - £60 for the outfit. Both were amazingly cut and i looked and felt sexy and confident in what i was wearing. I unfortunately missed out on one of their regular blue-cross days - by 1 day - which would have saved me 20% off the total price of both of the selected items. Watch out for these evenings, it's well ...
SideTiePanties 03.05.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Debenhams (Department Stores)
Advantages: good customer service Disadvantages: Sale times
...good reasons why we chose Debenhams over other stores, such as Marks and Spencers, House of Fraser, Habitat etc. 1)Debenhams stores are all over the country - very useful if you have guests spread over the UK. 2)Debenhams have selections of all household items you will need when setting up home - bedding, kitchen, crockery, electrical, bathroom and special occassion, they also have concessions such as Edinburgh crystal, Dorma bedding and with designers ... ...3) Debenhams have large stores so you will always be able to find things you like. 4) The stores are mainly in town centres so access for all is good. 5)Debenhams offer a really good service to the bride and groom - they offer to give advise on things to put on your list, how many items to put on (dependant on how many guests), They give you a pack containing example orders of service, invitations, place settings etc. They also give you cards to ...
Hannah111 16.08.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Debenhams (Department Stores)
Layout & presentation
Selection & range
In store customer service
Staff knowledge
Waiting / queues
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Debenhams (Department Stores)"
Advantages: good range, not bad prices, often have sales Disadvantages: crowded stores, don't like the look of the ear piercing staff, can sometimes look a messy jumble
Claire's is an accessory outlet that is a major high street name now (maybe not all for the best reasons). I presume that they are mainly trying to attract "tweenies" (as not quite teenagers are now called) and young teens. They sell all the sort of hair accessories, make up and jewellery that would appeal to this age group.
Generally, I think that their prices are reasonable (when you consider what you would pay in places like Debenhams and other departmentstores). They also sell body glitters, glittery pens, notebooks, purses, chocolate mice, keyrings etc etc.
They pierce ears (while - u - wait ah hem!!) but I am not sure how qualified the so called sales girls are. I overheard one of them talking to a mother who wanted to take her child to have her ears pierced. She said that they have to be 4 months and over, and they ...
afternoon in early February left their pre-adolescent years behind a long time ago). They're expanding rapidly throughout continental Europe (they are originally and American firm) and because of exchange rate variations the stock can be cheaper if you're off our little island, so it's worth a look if you're poping overseas..
And the prices?
In a word, expensive! I was looking at some butterfly clips in there the other day but, put off by the price, went next door to Debenhams (yes Debenhams - you know that notoriously expensive departmentstore) and found almost identical ones for a £4 less.....
Fianlly, the most annoying thing?
The way the always ask if you'd like to take advantage of their day's 'special offer' - bright blue lipstick for only 99p? No thanks!
The verdict? Save your money and steer well clear. If you have ...
Advantages: Can be collected at more than one shop Disadvantages: none.
's supply. E.g. Mobile Phone, Insurance, banking and more....
2.) You can earn points either online or in store at all Debenhamsdepartmentstores.
3.) Put petrol in a B.P. garages and you can earn nectar pints here however they only reward you one point per £1 spent.
4.) Now you can collect nectar points at Adams Kids clothing stores.
5.) Ford now offer you the facility to collect nectar points when you have repairs ,servicing or an M.O.T done at one of there garages which is great if you own a ford but not much use if you don't.
6.) If you hire a car from Hertz you can earn nectar points on the cost of car hire now.
7.) Dolland and Aitchinson now allow you to earn nectar points one the price of your spectacles, I was annoyed when I found out about this though as I had not long bought a pair of glasses from them ...
welshwickedone 15.08.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nectar Card
