Forward-looking Debenhams opens its doors to reveal the store of the future

The refurbishment, which has helped to create 18 jobs, is part of a strategy to modernise 40 Debenhams' stores around the UK over the next five years.

The store has an expanded beauty hall and a new personal shopper suite.

Debenhams has also spent more than 100,000 on the store's fourth-floor restaurant, which includes a delicatessen counter, carvery and bakery.

The company recently announced that 800 jobs will be created at the Sherburn Distribution Park, near Leeds, when it opens a distribution centre there next year.

Ed Watson, the company's head of public relations, yesterday confirmed that 150 jobs would also be created in May next year, when Debenhams opens a store in Trinity Walk, Wakefield.

Apart from the Briggate store, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, Swindon and Merryhill have been refurbished this year.

Mr Watson said Briggate was a high-density, well-performing store that was in need of a face-lift.

Altogether, Debenhams employs 3,200 staff in Yorkshire. Apart from Briggate, it has stores in Skipton; the White Rose Centre, near Leeds; Harrogate; York; York Monks Cross; and Scarborough.

Mr Watson said Debenhams was "very committed" to the Yorkshire area.

He said Trinity Walk in Wakefield was the only new store on the horizon in Yorkshire, but the company "wouldn't rule anything out" in the future.

He said Debenhams' business model was "ever evolving and ever moving".

"It's about shouting about value and delivering value, which is something we have done throughout the recession,'' he said.

"I'm a Leeds lad and Leeds has got a very vibrant shopping centre. It's all in one place, you don't have to walk far from one end to the other."

Mr Watson said the new flooring and branding would give the Briggate store a fresh feel.

The building's exterior has been restored and the womenswear, lingerie and childrenswear departments have been expanded and new brands introduced, such as Ted Baker.