Conversion planned for former Lancaster BHS

Property developer K/S Habro has proposed the redevelopment of 26,000 sq ft former BHS on Market Street into restaurants and retail units.

This proposal to Lancaster City Council includes the subdivision of the existing retail unit, which was built in 1971 for BHS before its collapse in 2016, to become three restaurants or cafés at ground floor, and a retail unit at first floor.

According to a report, many BHS stores are still vacant. Of the 160 stores that closed across the country, approximately 70 are empty.

K/S Habro received planning permission to create four shopfronts on Market Street on the site in September in order to internally subdivide the store and provide access for future developments. It has since started construction.

According to LK2 Architects, which designed the scheme: “The proposals outlined within this current application for change of use are vital to creating a new and exciting future for the property by providing well-configured space suited to modern occupiers’ requirements, with the flexibility to broaden the offer to restaurant and food uses. Accordingly, the application seeks to further revitalise, re-energise and regenerate the property.”