On the brink
EIGHTEEN of Britain’s most significant department-store buildings risk being permanently lost, says a report by SAVE Britain’s Heritage titled Departing Stores: Emporia at Risk. As a result of changing shopping patterns, the future of large highstreet stores has been a concern, but, says the charity’s executive president Marcus Binney, ‘what is astonishing is the speed with which these handsome and dominating buildings, the pride of cities and prosperous towns, have been closing’.
Among those at risk is the former Griffin & Spalding building in Nottingham’s Old Market Square, with its vast Portland-stone façade. Subsequently acquired by Debenhams, it closed its doors in 2021, with no alternative use in view. Plans to demolish the old Barker’s store in Eastbourne and replace it with apartments have been denounced by the Eastbourne Society as ‘nothing short of vandalism’.
Also showcased in the report are 14 stores that have been rescued, demonstrating viable uses can be found. Another former Debenhams, in Bournemouth, has re-opened as Bobbys, a retail and workspace hub, with a restaurant and art gallery. The former Arding & Hobbs department store at Clapham Junction, SW11, is being converted to a mixture of office space and retail units.
SAVE also argues Marks and Spencer should reconsider plans to demolish its landmark store in Oxford Street. A report by sustainability expert Simon Sturgis says the proposals do not comply with the Government’s net-zero legislation to reduce carbon emissions. He advocates instead for a comprehensive retrofit of the existing buildings. ‘Demolition and rebuilding of large, sturdy structures designed for large floor loads is hugely wasteful of energy,’ notes SAVE.