Many shops in the city once packed with customers now sit empty, with chatter about which retailer would suit the area a constant topic of discussion.

Debenhams in Churchill Square has been vacant for a number of years now, with a certain Swedish flatpack furniture brand said to be closing in on a deal to take on the space.

But as nothing is yet confirmed, The Argus asked readers which retailers they would most like to see in Brighton – with four names consistently mentioned by hopeful shoppers.

By far the most popular result was bargain home and garden retailer B and M Stores, which already has four stores across Sussex, with the nearest being Crawley, but none in Brighton.

The Argus: Many thought B and M would be a good fit for BrightonMany thought B and M would be a good fit for Brighton (Image: PA)

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Next on the list was another discount brand, Home Bargains, which is popular among those looking for popular home and garden products on a budget, with 600 stores across the country and sites already in Eastbourne, Bognor and Chichester. Now – people in Brighton want their share of the deals.

Readers are also crying out for a department store in the city with a common suggestion to fill the aforementioned Debenham’s store given as John Lewis, but there is of course one brand that people want to see take over the site: Ikea.

The Argus revealed earlier this year that Ikea could be closing in on a deal, but with the retailer saying last week that there have been no updates, we will have to wait just a bit longer to see if Sweden is heading for Brighton.