Demolition of former department stores under way

The regeneration of 35-45 Abington Street is expected to be completed in 2032

A town centre regeneration project marked a "major milestone" as work began on demolishing two former department stores.

The scheme involves the demolition of Northampton's former BHS and Marks & Spencer stores at 35-45 Abington Street, which will be replaced with housing, shops and leisure facilities.

BHS closed all of its stores in 2016, while the town's Marks & Spencer was shut in 2018 as part of a savings plan by the retailer. The two companies accounted for about 150,000 sq ft (13,935 sq m) of retail space.

The stores were stripped by excavators in preparation for their demolition, which began last month and the site is expected to be cleared in early 2026.

According to We Are Northampton, work to replace the stores with residential flats and retail and leisure spaces is expected to be completed by 2032.

Reform UK-controlled West Northamptonshire Council said that two powerful machines had taken down an external wall into the former Marks & Spencer store, enabling access to demolish the rest of the structures.