First look at new building to replace Norwich's Debenhams

Developers have released the CGI artist's impression, ahead of their intention to lodge plans for a new building to replace the 1950s-built former department store.

Stanford Real Estate wants to knock down all but the basement and ground floor of the existing building, as part of a major redevelopment of the city centre site.

The developers want to construct a new building, with new shops on the first two floors and 400 student flats on the other floors.

Today (Monday, June 12), they started two weeks of public consultation over the proposals, having given city councillors a briefing on the plans last week.

The former Debenhams store in Norwich (Image: Denise Bradley)

The various sections of the building would vary in height, but at its tallest, it would be three storeys higher than the current, six-floor, building.

Planning officers at City Hall have said the developers will need to prove there is a need for more student accommodation, that it could not retain the existing building and that the loss of retail space is acceptable.

Debenhams in Norwich closed in 2021 (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

The building had been home to Debenhams, until the department store closed three years ago.

Before it became Debenhams, it was occupied by Curls Brothers department store.

The building opened in 1956, after the previous Curls Brothers store on the site, off Red Lion Street, was destroyed in a 1942 Second World War air raid.

People can have their say at the online public consultation at www.lanproservices.co.uk/orford-house, which runs until 8am on Monday, June 26.

There will also be an event at The Forum, where Benchmark Architects and planning consultants Lanpro will be present.

That will take place from 12pm until 6pm on Friday, June 23.

The developers say feedback from the consultation will help to refine the application which it hopes to lodge with City Hall in August.