Bedford Debenhams plan: ‘We need a reason to come into town’

Shoppers have said they hope a council’s plans for a deserted store will boost the appeal of their high street.

The mayor of Bedford has outlined plans to convert a former Debenhams – purchased by a council for about £1.8m – into smaller commercial spaces and housing.

Tom Wootton, the elected Conservative mayor, said: “It’s going make a difference to the town – it’s going to bring people in.”

Supporting the proposed redevelopment, Alex Reader, 29, from Bedford, commented: “We need a reason to come into town.”

Mr Wootton said the short term plan was to get businesses into the space by Christmas and the long term plan was to keep the outside, knock it down inside and “build shops on the ground floor and flats and apartments above”.

He said Bedford Borough Council purchased the property, which closed in May 2021, “very cheap because it was so run down” and the money had come from “earmarked reserves” and the former government’s Towns Fund project.

“It’s a massive space, a massive part of Bedford, part of Bedford’s history, but also Bedford’s future because you cannot have this sort of size of place in the middle of the high street shut up for years.”

He said by the end of the year smaller shopping spaces would be created and he wanted anyone with ideas to “come and talk to us – we’re all ears”.

Mr Wootton said the renovation was “going to cost a lot of money” as the building was water damaged.

“We’re really keen that we get people living in town, as that’s the thing that is going to pay for this redevelopment,” he added.

Giving her reaction, Ms Reader, who was in the town centre, said: “I think it’s important that we start reopening these shops.

“It’s an eyesore when you just see shut doors.”

She said she would prefer to see “family-orientated” businesses, such as play areas.

Lauren Steels, 32, a mother from the town, said she wanted to see “more local stores and less chains, more of a market town look”.

“We’ve got lots of cafes and restaurants. It would be nice to have something a bit unique and bit different and something to entertain, not just shops.”

Wasem Sebi, founder of Simply Creative Agency on Bedford High Street, said: “Ensuring the right mix of retail and residential space is crucial to meet the needs of the Bedford community without over-saturating the housing sector.”

He said the plans could “transform” the area, bring “new life to the town centre” and could help create “a more dynamic and diverse urban environment”.

Kay Orton said she rarely came into town since Marks & Spencer closed its doors in May 2019.

She said converting the empty store was “positive” but it “all depends what the shops are”.

She said more variety could coax her back to the town centre.