Bedford council is preferred bidder for empty Debenhams building

Tom Wootton said the purchase would help "futureproof Bedford borough for decades"

Bedford Borough Council has said it plans to buy the iconic Debenhams store building in the town centre.

The Conservative-run authority says it is the preferred bidder for the historic location known as Mayes Yard.

The building has been empty since the famous department store closed in May 2021.

The town's mayor Tom Wootton said the purchase would help "futureproof Bedford borough for decades to come".

The departure of Debenhams from Bedford came hot on the heels of other well known brands.

BHS, Topshop, Laura Ashley, River Island and Woolworths left the town, along with Beales and Marks and Spencer at a similar time.

Before that, in 2019, the hardware shop Goldings - that sat on the High Street for 152 years - closed with owners saying town centre footfall had become "pretty much non-existent".

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Conservative Mr Wootton, who was elected in May, said: "This potential purchase is a strategic move to rejuvenate our High Street and create a thriving hub for our community."

Mr Wootton added: "High streets are the heart and soul of our towns, and this investment reflects our commitment to their revitalisation.

"We believe by taking this bold step, we can continue to develop a more exciting town centre offer."

Debenhams, which closed in 2021, sits in the heart of Bedford

Andrea Spice, portfolio holder for town centres and planning, explained the move was part of a town centre vision which was unveiled in September.

She added: "We're eager to collaborate with partners to attract new tenants and create an environment that reflects the dynamic spirit of Bedford."

The council did not reveal any plans for what it would use the building for.