Former Debenhams stores across the country are being reinvented for an array of new uses as councils and landlords battle to fill millions of square feet left empty after the demise of the department store chain in May 2021.
The Debenhams name continues online under new owners but three years after it left the high street more than half of the former stores remain empty or are in the process of being redeveloped, research by the Local Data Company for the Guardian has found. Only a third of the enormous sites, many of which are the keystone of local high streets, are now occupied by retailers, although a further 7% have a new occupier lined up, according to the research.
Cities and towns including Sheffield, Middlesbrough, Exeter, Swansea, Basingstoke and Nottingham have yet to fill the large gap on their high streets or have not confirmed plans for the site, with several also having lost a House of Fraser or a John Lewis as well.
Only a handful have become new department stores, with independents Bobby's and Bradbeers opening in Bournemouth and Salisbury respectively.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Buying British Can Labour's defence plans spur growth?
Even in a room full of generals from around the world decked in military braid, the arrival of the prime minister causes a stir.
NatWest to absorb £24m cost of aborted "Tell Sid' ad campaign
NatWest was forced to spend £24m on the former Conservative government's aborted \"Tell Sid\"-style campaign featuring Sir Trevor McDonald, which would have resulted in a chunk of the bank's state-owned shares being sold to the general public in a highly anticipated privatisation drive.
The green petrostate How Norway is both climate hero and carbon villain
The average Norwegian is more likely than anyone else to drive to work in an electric car and warm their home with a heat pump.
Rocky role Navy chief who ran ship aground to thwart China
More than 25 years ago the BRP Sierra Madre was sent off for one final, secret, voyage. In the darkness of night the Philippine navy ship sailed from Manila Bay into the remote waters of the South China Sea. Then, to the surprise of many, it ran aground. And it has not moved since.
Bangladesh Protests turn into 'movement against a dictator'
Hasan still has the metal pellets police fired at him lodged deep in his bones. Fearful that he will join the growing ranks of those thrown behind bars by the state for participating in protests that have swept Bangladesh this month, Hasan has been in hiding for a week in \"constant panic and trauma\".
'Not playing around Whirlwind week for vice-president, both on and off the stage
The telephone line was a little fuzzy, and the voice on the end gravelly from several days of Covid isolation. Yet the poignancy of the message, and the moment itself, could not have been clearer: \"I'm watching you kid. I love you,\" the speaker said.
Protest vote Support for Harris held back until she halts 'funding of Gaza war'
The protest movement that sought to use the Democratic primaries to pressure Joe Biden to shift his policy on Israel and Gaza breathed a sigh of relief when he ended his bid for re-election, but they are not ready to promise support for Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Vice-president 'disrespectful' on Gaza, says Trump as he meets Netanyahu
Donald Trump called Kamala Harris's statement on the Gaza war \"disrespectful\" last night as he met the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in Florida to discuss the conflict.
Brat power Charli Xcx's path from Myspace to White House
As someone outside the mainstream for much of her early career, Charli xcx has come a long way.
Badenoch accuses Tory leadership race rival of 'dirty tricks'
Kemi Badenoch has accused one of her Conservative leadership rivals of a dirty tricks campaign as she continues to consider a bid for the top job.
