Former Debenhams in Norwich empty for almost three years

The department store will hit an unwelcome three-year anniversary next month, having closed in May 2021 as the former retail giant was wound up.

Plans have been lodged to convert the building into 400 student flats but the intention of Stanford Real Estate to demolish down to the ground floor and rebuild has met opposition, including from local Green councillors and the Twentieth Century Society.

The former Debenhams store in Red Lion Street is looking increasingly shabby as it approaches three years empty (Image: Sonya Duncan)The former Debenhams could be converted into 400 student flats (Image: Sonya Duncan/Newsquest)

Amid the wait for Norwich City Council's decision on the plans, which were lodged in January, city folk are concerned about the increasingly shabby 1950s-built site.

Trevor Chapman, 80, and Michael Head, 82, visiting Norwich from Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, said: “It’s a blot on the landscape. It lets the place down as visitors of the city.”

It would vary in height when rebuilt but, at its tallest, would be three storeys higher than the current six-floor building.

Trevor Chapman, left, and Michael Head were visiting Norwich from Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex (Image: Phoebe Ozanne/Newsquest)Debenhams closed in Norwich in May 2021 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Debbie Huckle, 56, from Cromer, said: “It would be better than it being an empty building but a shame to see the architecture go.”

Questions about the need for student housing have also persisted.

Norwich folk have given their thoughts on the future of the city's former Debenhams department store (Image: Sonya Duncan/Newsquest)Andy, 23, from West Earlham (Image: Phoebe Ozanne/Newsquest)Plans for Debenhams would see it rebuilt to three storeys higher at some points (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Andy, 23, from West Earlham, suggested: “To completely demolish it and turn it into something unneeded would not be a good idea because it would only be to get more students when it could be used more usefully.”

READ MORE: Potential snag for Debenhams rebuild as concerns raised about historical artefacts

Ria, 58, from Hethersett, said: “They should regenerate it and do more for the community. Accommodation would be good for everyone, so try and work with charities to get people off the streets.”

Ria, 58, from Hethersett (Image: Phoebe Ozanne/Newsquest)

An artist's impression of the plans for the former Debenhams in Norwich (Image: Lanpro)Mickey Biggam, from Wymondham (Image: Phoebe Ozanne/Newsquest)

Mickey Biggam, 18, from Wymondham, said: "They should just add to the building instead of demolishing it.”

Jenny and Eddie Pond, who are in their mid-50s and live in Topcroft, are not fans of more student accommodation either, saying: “They should bring something independent like Jarrolds and use local products.”

What do you think of the plans for Debenhams? Send your thoughts to eenletters@newsquest.co.uk