Barrow town centre p.Google Earth

The council hopes the scheme will add to efforts to revamp the town centre. Credit: Google Earth

BAE snaps up Barrow Debenhams for skills centre 

The aerospace engineer has acquired 80,000 sq ft of retail assets, including the former department store, that it plans to refurbish and use as a training centre for submarine engineers.  

BAE Systems’ acquisition of the Portland Walk properties, which includes the former WHSmith and Body Shop units, will see the stores converted into a multi-use skills facility. 

“The Portland Walk facility will make a significant contribution to the ongoing regeneration of Barrow’s town centre,” said Steve Timms, managing director of BAE Systems’ submarines business. 

“For more than 150 years, our shipyard and the local community have worked side-by-side to support each other and this investment is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to develop and champion the town.” 

He added: “This [facility] will build upon the extensive vocational training and community investment provided by BAE Systems in the town.” 

BAE’s Barrow skills centre could complement additional town centre developments being progressed by the local council, according to the authority’s leader Cllr Ann Thomson. 

“Barrow’s town centre has lots of potential, but we know it must be regenerated so that it meets the needs of today and the next generation,” said Thomson. 

“As a council, we are already working on a major scheme to create a new destination in the centre of the town that will draw people in to enjoy food, experiences and shopping. 

“BAE Systems’ vision for the former retail properties will help to inject additional and much-needed activity and vibrancy to Portland Walk and the surrounding area which could in turn help to attract and support further businesses and retail. The future for Barrow’s town centre is looking bright indeed and we are excited to see it move forward.” 

Following the collapse of Debenhams in 2021, the future of the retailer’s extensive estate has been under the spotlight. 

While some of the department stores have been retained for retail, plans to covert some into other uses, including offices, are also in the works. 

Liverpool – M&S will take over half of the 200,000 sq ft vacant department store at Liverpool One, while entertainment operator Gravity will occupy the rest. 

Trafford Centre – M&S will relocate from its current 87,000 sq ft store into the 135,000 sq ft ex-Debenhams.

Chester – Martin Property Group bought the Browns of Chester building last year following the acquisition of the 212,000 sq ft Grosvenor Shopping Centre. The company said it would “work closely with local stakeholders” to develop its plans. 

Manchester – AM Alpha is redeveloping the former Debenhams on Market Street into a near-300,000 sq ft office development 

Blackpool – Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group is to transform the ex-Debenhams into a Sports Direct and a Flannels. 

Stockport – The council owns the old Debenhams building and plans to convert it into film studio space. 

Your Comments

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The locals are over the moon about this and see it as a great way to rejuvenate the centre…… exactly the opposite reception to every time a council buys one……

By Adam Smith

Adam, what would you propose for a site where there isn’t a BAE facility nearby? Nothing? Force BAE to take over all ex-Debenhams stores?

By Anonymous

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