READERS have reacted after shoppers bid a fond farewell to Carlisle's Debenham's store which has closed for the final time.

The retail chain had been one of the casualties of the Coronavirus lockdown and the store in the Lanes Shopping Centre, and West Tower Street, recently reopened only to sell off its remaining stock at a discount.

It shut shop for the last time on Wednesday.

Here's what you our readers thought:

Jill Anderson said: "It is a ghost town already.

"Bad planning, little ideas, small minded bosses."

Paul Cash said: "Its not just Carlisle it is the whole of Cumbria, anywhere north of Manchester receive very little government help.

"They say its grim up north and Carlisle definitely fits that bill."

Debs Parker posted: "We all need to shop more in stores instead of online."

Fiona Clarke said: "There won't be any shops.

"I've lost count how many shops have gone, it so sad to see people's jobs at risk.

"It is not good and The Market Hall is so quiet too."

Catherine Smith said: "Free parking would help.

"Why drive to Carlisle and rush around in case you get a parking ticket, when you can sit at home and shop online.

"All council's got too greedy and now it's came back to haunt them."

Mariano Debicki said: "Charity shop town already, this could be lively nice town but isn't."

Dani Portsmouth posted: "Online shopping killed the town and rates to rent are high."

Reader Martin Waite said: "The city centre was doomed to be a ghost city once Cumbria County Council started to impose their stupid historic quarter on the city centre."

David Eyley said: "Many similar situations will be occurring all over the UK, with the loss of long-standing iconic businesses."