Debenhams Leeds: Work begins at old department store earmarked for new flagship Flannels store

The department store chain had been a familiar sight on high streets up and down the country for 243 years when it closed its last 28 stores for good on May 15 in 2021. Among them was the huge store in Briggate, which is now poised for redevelopment.

Orchard Street Investment Management won planning permission from Leeds City Council in September 2021 for a scheme featuring accommodation for 124 students. It would have included 90 studio flats and 17 dual-occupancy studios, termed “twodios” – effectively one room with two double beds. Other features of the proposed scheme included four communal areas and a new “courtyard wellness garden” to be created in the centre of the building from the second floor up, plus retail space in the basement, ground and first floors.

Similar work recently began on the former House of Fraser store, also in Briggate. It is due to be demolished and replaced with a 10-storey block that will provide accommodation for 369 university students as well as shops on the ground and basement floors.

However, the student flats planned for the old Debenhams store have been abandoned in favour of alterations that will pave the way for a flagship store by the luxury fashion retailer Flannels. Plans were submitted to the council last month and are currently waiting approval.