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<\/div>\n\/\/<\/span> More than half of Debenhams former stores remain empty as high streets struggle to fill the void<\/h6>\n\/\/ <\/span>Currently, only 27% of these vacant units have future use plans<\/h6>\nDespite May marking the two-year anniversary since the British department store shuttered, 73% of former Debenhams units remain empty.<\/p>\n
According to recent data from EG, only 27% of these locations have future use plans with the majority of vacant stores (20) based in the South East, followed by North East England (16) and Scotland (14).<\/p>\n
Twenty seven others have been taken over by the likes of Marks & Spencer and The Range.<\/p>\n
The historic retailer revealed the final closure of its 124 stores back in May 2021, shutting the door on over 200 years of trade on UK high streets.<\/p>\n
Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free<\/strong><\/h5>\nSign up\u00a0here\u00a0to get the latest news straight into your inbox each morning<\/span><\/p>\nEG Head of Researched Data Jonathan Tomlinson said: \u201cAt its height, Debenhams operated 150 stores, but the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns dealt the retailer a hammering blow. Boohoo acquired Debenhams in 2021, but the fast fashion chain had no use for its brick-and-mortar outlets, trading the brand as a solely online store.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tomlinson added that\u00a0they are seeing plans for mixed development, including retail and residential, as single occupiers struggle to justify rent on premises of that size.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen applications approved for the conversion of former stores into studio apartments, luxury hotels and even a university campus, with work underway at the former site in Gloucester to build a new \u00a360m campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, now two years on since the doors closed, many Debenhams stores still remain vacant with no development plans in place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite May marking the two-year anniversary since the British department store shuttered, 73% of former Debenhams units remain empty.<\/p>\n
According to recent data from EG, only 27% of these locations have future use plans with the majority of vacant stores (20) based in the South East, followed by North East England (16) and Scotland (14).<\/p>\n
Twenty seven others have been taken over by the likes of Marks & Spencer and The Range.<\/p>\n
The historic retailer revealed the final closure of its 124 stores back in May 2021, shutting the door on over 200 years of trade on UK high streets.<\/p>\n
Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free<\/strong><\/h5>\nSign up\u00a0here\u00a0to get the latest news straight into your inbox each morning<\/span><\/p>\nEG Head of Researched Data Jonathan Tomlinson said: \u201cAt its height, Debenhams operated 150 stores, but the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns dealt the retailer a hammering blow. Boohoo acquired Debenhams in 2021, but the fast fashion chain had no use for its brick-and-mortar outlets, trading the brand as a solely online store.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tomlinson added that\u00a0they are seeing plans for mixed development, including retail and residential, as single occupiers struggle to justify rent on premises of that size.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen applications approved for the conversion of former stores into studio apartments, luxury hotels and even a university campus, with work underway at the former site in Gloucester to build a new \u00a360m campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, now two years on since the doors closed, many Debenhams stores still remain vacant with no development plans in place.\u201d<\/p>\n
EG Head of Researched Data Jonathan Tomlinson said: \u201cAt its height, Debenhams operated 150 stores, but the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns dealt the retailer a hammering blow. Boohoo acquired Debenhams in 2021, but the fast fashion chain had no use for its brick-and-mortar outlets, trading the brand as a solely online store.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tomlinson added that\u00a0they are seeing plans for mixed development, including retail and residential, as single occupiers struggle to justify rent on premises of that size.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen applications approved for the conversion of former stores into studio apartments, luxury hotels and even a university campus, with work underway at the former site in Gloucester to build a new \u00a360m campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, now two years on since the doors closed, many Debenhams stores still remain vacant with no development plans in place.\u201d<\/p>\n