IT WAS an emotional scene as staff and customers gathered to bid farewell to Debenhams in Basingstoke’s Festival Place this afternoon (Saturday, May 15).

More than an hour before scheduled closure of 5.30pm, the final customers were trickling out, and staff were tearing down window displays and snapping selfies to mark the moment.

The chain has been a flagship store in the town’s shopping centre since 2002, but the company has recently gone into liquidation, with the brand living on online only, after it was bought by fashion retail Boohoo.

A round of applause went up as the shutters came down - for the very last time.

Frank Poku, from Basingstoke, was the second to last customer to exit the shop.

He told the Gazette he is celebrating his 71st birthday today, with a trip to the department store before it shut.

“That’s it, no more! I will be back to see what will take over,” he said.

While the final shopper out, Vivian Ezekwe, was met with a special reception from staff members and fellow members of the public.

The 36-year-old from Croydon said: “It’s sad, because Debenhams is my favourite place to shop!”