1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:

Debenhams plc

2.         Reason for the notification     

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights

An acquisition or disposal of instruments with similar economic effect to qualifying financial instrument

3.         Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:

BlackRock, Inc.

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3):

N/A

5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different):

15 May 2017

6. Date on which issuer notified:

16 May 2017

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached

Total holding has gone above 5%

8. Notified details:

Class/type of shares

GB00B126KH97

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Situation previous to the triggering transaction:

Number of Ordinary shares of 0.01p each: Below 5%

Number of voting rights: Below 5%

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction:  

Number of Ordinary shares of 0.01p each Direct: N/A

Number of voting rights Direct: N/A Indirect: 33,849,600

Percentage of voting rights Direct: N/A Indirect: 2.75%

B:  Qualifying Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments

Total A+B+C

Number of voting rights: 61,406,395

Percentage of voting rights: 5.00%

9.   Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable

See Annex

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder: 

11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:

13.  Additional Information:

14.  Contact Name/Telephone Number:

Paul Eardley

Company SecretaryTelephone: 020 3549 6000

Debenhams plc

LEI5493007MMUEIF4NJG110

Annex - Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable: