A disused department store building in Chatham has been bought by Medway Council in a multi-million-pound deal. The council announced today that it acquired the former Debenhams building in the High Street, which closed in January 2020, for £2,205,000. Although it says that it is currently "reviewing options" for the building, initial plans revealed in February this year earmarked the property for 76 flats and over 1,000 square metres of ground floor commercial space. Medway Council hopes that the building "drives growth, improves visitor experience and ensures future sustainability whilst supporting residents’ needs" once redeveloped in the future. The building was purchased without using a Compulsory Purchase Order through the government's Future High Streets Fund, which saw Medway Council allocated £9,497,720 in January last year. Other projects that will be funded by the grant include a new healthy living centre and innovation hub in the council-owned Pentagon Centre; a conference, co-working and events space in St John's Church in Railway Street; and a creative and collaborative workspace at The Brook Theatre. The funding will also be used to transform The Paddock, a historic greenspace between Chatham Waterfront Bus Station and the Pentagon Centre. All of these projects are set to be completed by March 2024. Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said: “We are committed to supporting our high streets and the acquisition of the former Debenhams building is the latest step to help regenerate Chatham town centre.
"This large retail store has remained vacant for some time and we are reviewing plans on how best to put it back into use. “By acquiring buildings in our high streets, like The Pentagon Shopping Centre and Mountbatten House, we are able to help shape the future of the area. "These acquisitions, alongside Medway Development Company’s Waterfront and Garrison Point developments - which will provide high-quality housing in the centre of Chatham, will bring more opportunities to our emerging city centre and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring Medway continues to thrive by supporting the local economy, businesses and provide more jobs.” The former Debenhams building was originally built in 1979 as an Allders department store. Allders went into administration in 2005, with Debenhams taking over the prominent building in the High Street in April of that year. The closure of Chatham's Debenhams branch was announced in April 2019, when the retailer marked it out as one of 21 other locations across the country to be axed as part of cost-cutting measures.
Nicola Roseman
22/6/2022 12:16:06
They should used this building as council offices. Sell the building they have now for water front building opportunities . They may then invest some money into the dump of a high street if their staff have to walk through it each day!
Helen Bell
22/6/2022 13:32:37
76 Flats that’s interesting which could mean 152 people, will they be parking in Medway councils Comments are closed.
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