As Debenhams reveals closure proposals for four of its Kent stores, its Gravesend branch appears safe for the immediate future.

However, despite the retail giant's continued presence in the town, one councillor has suggested more could be done to regenerate it.

Cllr Steve Thompson (Lab), former manager of Gravesend's Old Town Hall, said: "It's definitely a good decision not to close Debenhams.

"As for the future, I can't comment, but I would certainly like to see the High Street thriving.

"I think we should be focusing on regenerating the town for local people, and having a mix of shops and businesses.

"Our independent retailers do a great job, and we are blessed to have the business people who run them."

Cllr Thompson, who represents Gravesham's Central ward, said: "When I moved here in 2003, one of the reasons was the town's proximity to the river, and its appeal as a heritage town.

"I don't think, in recent years, the council has been promoting that as well as it should have been."

Among the 22 stores that could close next year as part of Debenhams' debt restructuring plans are Ashford, Canterbury, Chatham and Folkestone.

The struggling retailer fell into a pre-pack administration earlier this month, and has since announced details of two controversial company voluntary arrangements, which would allow it to reduce rents with landlords and close shops.

The closures will cause major disruption for town centres affected, and GMB, Britain’s general union, has called the proposals "devastating".

Melanie Norris, communities director at Gravesham council, said: "We are really pleased that Gravesend's Debenhams store will remain open as it has always been popular with shoppers.

"Gravesend town centre provides a great shopping experience, with big name brands mixed with smaller independent retailers often only found in the area.

"With the transformational regeneration taking place we will start to see our town centre evolve over time, offering a mix of shopping, leisure, restaurants and workspaces, as well as new places to live."

Retired butcher Phillip Bayldon, 62, from Woodlands Park, Gravesend, said: "Debenhams is one of the only decent shops we've got in Gravesend.

"There's only pound shops and charity shops in the centre now. It's a dead town.

"The store staying is a bit of a boost for the town but it's inevitable that the high street will die - it's too little too late."

Patricia Nice, 68, from Riverview, said: "Debenhams is one of the main attractions for Gravesend as it's the only department store around here.

"It's fantastic for the town to keep it, as it would've been killed off had it moved."

Sam Haughton, 48, of Smugglers Walk, Greenhithe, said: "It's the only good shop in the town, so it's a massive boost it's staying here.

"New Road is mainly filled with charity shops since other department stores left.

"I think it's too late to save the town though with Bluewater finishing it off because people just go there."

All Debenhams stores are proposed to remain open during 2019, including through Christmas peak trading.

The full list of stores expected to close in 2020 are: Altrincham, Ashford, Birmingham Fort, Canterbury, Chatham, Eastbourne, Folkestone, Great Yarmouth, Guildford, Kirkcaldy, Orpington, Slough, Southport, Southsea, Staines, Stockton, Walton, Wandsworth, Welwyn Garden City, Wimbledon, Witney, Wolverhampton.

All of Gravesham's Central ward councillors have been approached for comment.

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