The landmark Debenhams store in the centre of Guildford – due to close in the New Year – has been bought for £20 million by a London property developer, but ‘no mention of arts and community use and this is likely to frustrate many’ writes The Guildford Dragon!
… no mention of arts and community use and this is likely to frustrate many…
… community multi-use facility that would help maintain the vibrancy of the town…
The Guildford Dragon writes:
The landmark Debenhams store in the centre of Guildford due to close in the New Year has been bought for £20 million by London property developer Native Land.
Bill Stokoe, the Guildford Vision Group chair, said: “I just look forward to the development enhancing its setting and making the riverside even more accessible for people to enjoy.”
Alasdair Nicholls, Native Land chief executive, said: “The store is a perfect opportunity to unlock the potential of land and buildings.”
His company statement said they will be exploring “a range of future development options for the asset, including homes for sale and rent, together with mixed retail and commercial to unlock and enliven the river frontage”.
There was no mention of arts and community use and this is likely to frustrate many who see the central site as ideal for wider social activities as well as residential and commercial space.
Zoe Franklin, Guildford’s Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson, said: “It is disappointing the sale to a luxury residential developer suggests this may no longer be possible to realise.
“But I don’t believe all is lost and I sincerely hope Native Land will follow the lead of Guildford Borough Council….
Alistair Smith, the Guildford Society chair, said: “This is an opportunity to provide for a community multi-use facility that would help maintain the vibrancy of the town where retail needs to be supplemented by other attractions. This use doesn’t preclude dwellings being built on the upper floors.”
He said with a lack of clear policies on development in the town, that producing “a draft town centre master plan to guide how the centre will evolve” before it was too late was critical.
Mr Smith added that rumours persist “one developer could make Debenhams work only by building to 20 storeys”.
The site, with the river on two sides, is prone to flooding. Mr Smith said the developer “will require an innovative approach”….
