A landmark former department store in Derby could be demolished to make way for a major regeneration project in the city centre, it has been revealed.
Derby City Council has unveiled plans to demolish the site, which was vacated by Debenhams in 2007, in the Becketwell area of the city centre in 2019.
The demolition of the former department store has been hailed by the authority as a “key milestone for this crucial city centre regeneration” that has been worked on over the past few years.
The council has said the demolition work will help to remove obstacles that have faced the regeneration project and will help to create a new “vibrant” quarter within the city for leisure, residential and business.
The demolition and land purchase costs are being funded by Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) D2N2 which has invested £8.1m into the Beckewell regeneration.
The council began its regeneration plans in 2014 with the acquisition of Duckworth Square, followed by the former Debenhams store and ancillary properties in 2017 and more recently seven buildings on Colyear Street.
“The demolition of the former Debenhams store will create a new gateway to Becketwell, and is a major step in delivering regeneration of the area.”
Initial site works are planned to begin in spring 2019 with the first redevelopment of Beckewell area anticipated to start in 2020.
