Bedford: Bid to make old department store space into smaller shops

Debenhams in Bedford closed for good in May 2021

The site of two former department stores is to be divided up into smaller retail units in a bid to enhance a town centre.

Bedford Borough Council said it is in talks with the owners of the former Beales and Debenhams spaces about "an exciting new town centre offer".

The authority is considering how the block - known as Mayes Yard - could house shops or leisure outlets, with apartments on the upper floors.

It said discussions were a "step in the right direction for this important town centre location".

Beales in Bedford closed in March 2020 and the property has remained empty ever since

Bedford has been a market town since its Royal Charter was awarded by Henry II in 1166, but in recent years it has lost a number of stores, including Marks & Spencer, Top Shop and River Island.

The authority, which included Mayes Yard as a site for development in its Local Plan 2040, said discussions with property owners were at an early stage but they were "an indication of a shared commitment to improve Bedford town centre together".

The Liberal Democrat elected mayor, Dave Hodgson, said: "We are delighted to be continuing our work with the owners of the former Beales and Debenhams sites to bring together plans for an exciting new town centre offer.

"Our positive approach to economic development has helped us to work effectively with the building owners to help understand how we can make Mayes Yard an attractive and viable development opportunity."  

Bedford Borough Council wants to bring about "an exciting new town centre offer"

Jack Bispham, head of property at Panther Securities PLC, which owns the former Beales site, said the firm had "high hopes" for Bedford and the collaboration would "hopefully be bringing forward a viable development in a key site".

Eoin Conway, managing director for Estama, acting on behalf of the owners of the former Debenhams building, said they were "excited about the opportunity to bring this complex site back into use".