It has been almost two years exactly since Bristol’s iconic Debenhams department store closed its doors for good. And despite it being 24 months later one of the largest storefronts in Bristol’s shopping district still remains empty.
The former department store on the Horsefair and St James Barton closed down permanently on Saturday, May 15 2021, with the building going up for sale just days after. It was one of 49 branches across the UK to close after the long-running retailer chain fell into administration.
Debenhams had occupied the four-floor unit for nearly 50 years, since 1972, after taking over from Bristolian firm Jones firm, which opened its doors to customers in May 1957. Since its closure there has been a great deal of speculation about what would happen to the landmark building.
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In October last year Bristol Live reported that work seemed to be taking place at the site after a new company had taken over the building. A document from Bristol City Council named a London company, 33 Horsefair Ltd, as primarily liable for business rates of the building.
Companies House named Louise Staniforth and Nicholas Winsley as directors since the firm was established in November 2021, with AEWUK owning at least 75 per cent or more of the company's shares.
AEWUK, one of the world’s largest real estate asset managers, lists eleven Bristol properties in its portfolio. This includes a number of other sites in Broadmead, Union Street and Queens Square along with Hengrove Leisure Park and Whitehall Trading Estate.
It has still not been confirmed exactly what the site will be used for, but Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said last year that it would be a "mix of destinations". Mr Rees said the council had "been very clear" that the new development had to fit in with their existing plans for the city. "There’s going to be residential in there as well as some retail - but we have too much retail space in the city anyway," he added.
The former Debenhams site is a part of the council's blueprint to shape the future of development in part of Bristol city centre, affecting landmarks including the Galleries and the Bearpit. Information on the council's website explained that the plan will cover a large area of central Bristol, extending from Marlborough Street and Bond Street in the north, to Castle Park in the south.
It includes The Galleries, Fairfax Street, Callowhill Court, Haymarket and the former Debenhams store (some of which are already subject to development proposals from private developers). But there are no other specific details about what is planned for the site, which means the store looks likely to remain empty for the time being.
It comes as Broadmead's empty Marks & Spencer building reopens today as a ‘department store with a difference’. With the name Sparks, the old department store will no longer house just clothes, it will be a space where Bristolians can come to be educated, get advice and express their creativity. The store closed permanently back in January 2022 and reopens its doors around 12pm today (Saturday, May 13).
Let us know what you'd like to see replace the old Debenhams, in the comments section below
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