Browns of Chester Debenhams Established in the reign of King George III, Browns of Chester has traded continuously from this site since 1791. Major rebuilding was carried out by Charles and William Brown in the mid nineteenth century, with the frontage incorporating Gothic, Georgian and Tudor style facades being completed in 1858 to designs by architect T. M. Penson. The Gothic building incorporates a medieval undercroft dating from the twelth century. Extensions and modifications have taken place throughout the history of the store, a major element of which was the link to the Grosvenor shopping centre in 1965. Debenhams acquired the store in 1976, and have maintained the tradition of continual development with a major investment in 2002 to refurbish the entire store, and create a three storey extension to the retail areas on the site formerly occupied by the offices of the Chester Chronicle.