What would you like to see happen to the Debenhams building?
AN indoor market or string of restaurants are among ideas suggested for inside the iconic Debenhams building in Old Market Square.
The Debenhams building - which dates back to 1846 - is an iconic part of the makeup of Old Market Square and has been a familiar feature to shoppers for decades.
But now the future of the building hangs in the balance after retailer Boohoo bought the business for £55m and has decided to only run it as an online operation.
It was originally a department store owned by Griffin & Spalding, before it was bought by Debenhams in 1944.
Griffin & Spalding’s name was retained until 1973, when it changed to Debenhams as part of a national rebranding scheme.
Roger Stenson, 74, of Clifton, remembers Griffin & Spalding as his father worked there as the head chef. He believes there is only one solution for the building.
He told the Post: “I remember when it was Griffin & Spalding as my dad was head chef in the early 1960s. I used to work there on Saturdays when I was at school.
“I think it is a shame it is closing. I heard someone wants to buy it for student accommodation. I am not against students but it should be something for the locals.
“I would like to see it broken up into separate units for shops and to bring the market from outside of the Victoria Centre there.
“They did that in Leeds. We need something that will attract people into the city centre and Old Market Square. It is ideal for an indoor market. It would also give independents a chance.
“If anyone has got any sense they will do that.”
Retired Sheila Simpson, 67, of Top Valley, said the news of the site being sold off was “upsetting” as she goes into the store a lot.
“There needs to be something similar to that, something like John Lewis.
“It may remain dormant but I hope it doesn’t because that would be the worst thing.
“I think flats would be ideal. My daughter is looking for somewhere to live and there is a lack of flats in the city centre for working professionals.
“I have lived in Nottingham since I was 11 years old and it has always been here.”
Restaurant supervisor Gemma Lovatt, 34, of Sneinton, said Debenhams was “her favourite brand on the high street.”
“It has got everything you want in there and it has been there forever.
“I think it will change the appearance of the square. I just want Debenhams back.
“I don’t want flats. It would just tarnish it.”
Former retail worker Lyla Nicole, 27, of Sneinton, said: “I was disappointed to hear it was going and that it will be going online.
“I think they will end up with restaurants on the ground floor - and I can’t see them using the entire space as one especially with the state of how things are.
“I think it will be flats or offices on the top floors. They could use it as a hotel.”
Marie Langford, 79, of Gamston, was wearing the coat she bought from Debenhams. She has continued to visit the shop since the 1980s with her daughter.
“We have bought no end of clothes from there,” she said. “I think it will be flats. It seems to be all about flats now. I don’t like it. We need retail and I have always liked that store.
“It will still look like Debenhams because I should think they will keep the facade.”
Nottingham City Council said the building is privately owned so the immediate next step would be down to the owner.
At the moment there are no plans as the building has only recently closed.
Scott Knowles, East Midlands Chamber chief executive, said: “Clearly, the closure of Debenhams is going to leave a gaping hole in a prime position in the city centre that will be difficult to fill anytime soon. “However, it’s important that this building doesn’t remain empty for too long, such is its strategic importance in Old Market Square. “Until now, its towering presence has arguably represented the prominent role of retail in Nottingham city centre but what we are beginning to understand is that the post-covid city centre should now feature a diverse range of uses.
“So while the ultimate responsibility for deciding its future lies with the property owner and local authority, perhaps we should look beyond limiting large buildings like this to a single application and instead explore a mix of leisure, work and residential spaces alongside retail.
“Businesses are in desperate need of confidence right now and putting together a clear plan for how to reimagine this historic building over the coming months would strike the right note to deliver the necessary investment that will bring the city centre back to life once we come out the other end of this pandemic.”
It’s important that this building doesn’t remain empty for too long, such is its strategic importance in Old Market Square.
Scott Knowles