Giant store to be split into three units

PLANS for the future use of one of the biggest empty shops in Derbyshire involve it being split into three separate stores, with one already taken.

The former Debenhams on Ravenside Retail Park, in Chesterfield, was built for the chain in 2012. However, in January Debenhams confirmed they would be closing, at a cost of around 12,000 jobs and shutting their Chesterfield branch among others.

The unit, which has a large car park and a mezzanine floor inside, has sat empty since then. Planning documents submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council show the unit will be split into three with part of the mezzanine removed.

One of the new shops is to be taken by a “retailer, which has a requirement to sell food products”.

The name of the company has not been revealed.

According to the Planning and Retail Statement, submitted for approval earlier this year, the unit will be operated “by a retailer which does not currently have representation in this area”.

The shop is expected to create around 77 full-time equivalent jobs.

The new units will sit on Ravenside Retail Park alongside a number of others including Currys, Pets at Home, B&M, Asda Living and Next Plc.

Permission for the food retailer to occupy part of the old Debenhams store was granted in 2021.