Stockport Council finds tenant for empty Debenhams
Joseph James Furniture has signed a five-year lease to take over the 90,000 sq ft department store, a deal that will bring the vacant building back into use in the medium term.
The former Debenhams, which is owned by the council, has been empty since the retailer went bust in 2021.
Since then, the council has been working to find a use for the asset and has earmarked the site as the possible location for a new hospital to replace Stepping Hill in the long term. A bid for government funding to deliver the project has been submitted.
Stockport Council had planned to lease part of the 90,000 sq ft building out as film studios but have opted instead to secure Joseph James Furniture, which will occupy the entire building.
The business was established in 2019 and already has an outlet in Stretford. The vacant Debenhams unit will be the Joseph James Furniture second store and will see the company return to Stockport, having started out at Safestore on Wellington Road North.
Co-founders Joseph Shenton and James Pullen said: “After building a strong customer base, we thought the time was right to open a second outlet and the 90,000 sq ft on offer at the former Debenhams building was an opportunity that was too good to miss.
“The retail frontage of the building is very strong given its location on the busy A6 and we also expect to see a strong level of footfall from Merseyway Shopping Centre.”
The furniture firm also saw value in the council’s attempts to reinvigorate the town centre.
“Stockport Council is working hard to attract people to the town centre and the new Interchange, along with the success of Redrock and the Underbanks, has contributed to our commitment to the town,” Shenton and Pullen said.
“We believe we are now the largest furniture outlet in the UK in terms of floorspace and we are looking forward to being back in Stockport where it all began.”
The lease that JJF has sigend has built-in development breaks, affording the council flexibility around its future use.
Cllr Colin MacAlister, cabinet member for economy, regeneration and housing at Stockport Council, said: “The longer-term plans for the building are still in the pipeline but the fact that the building is occupied again is great news for the town centre.
“All three of the town’s former department stores will all shortly be back in use, which is a huge achievement given the large size of the units.”
Wow. What an awful looking building.
By Katie
The time it takes to get to the top of the list for NHS capital funding it will be at least five years. Depends on whether the Council have agreed a rolling break after that or it’s another five years before we get SHH there which would be a great boost in so many ways. Time for some joined up thinking.
By Dave
This happened month ago. Check their tiktok, they open in about 3 weeks.
By Anonymous
Better than film studios. Also, it’s temporary. Stepping Hill Hospital would be better for the whole Borough, though. It has easier access to all other hospitals, Christie, Wythenshawe & Salford Royal, among others.
By Eve
Wow. What a beautiful brutalist building.
By Anonymous
Good to hear it is being put to retail use again. Need MORE effort to make Merseyway shopping attractive again
By TP
What are the current plans for a new hospital which is badly needed and where will it now be situated.?
By Anonymous
To atract people to stockport is to reduse the rates on shops on the precint and free car parks.
By Anonymous
Form follows function. Topography is an irrelevance.
By UnaPlanner
No, not free car parks, better public transport. The car parks are already full as it is. Why give up an income stream?
This is good news. Hopefully the neighbouring residential development will only increase footfall in Stockport town centre retail and leisure offerings.
By Anonymous
Just what we need, a furniture shop????
By Anonymous
That’s great news ! I think it’s sad to see these former outlets empty and Stockport Council are working hard to make Stockport and Mersy Square come a alive again ! I always loved MerseySquare .Good Luck ☘️
By Maggiemay
Absolute eyesore of a building, get it levelled! XD
By Anonymous
Let’s hope they’re forced to make changes to the exterior. Stockport’s carbuncles devalue the town, especially Asda…I could go on, and on, and on…
By Paul Eden
It will be good to see debenham space alive again
By Shahwar
Great news to see the building occupied again
By Anonymous
Sensible decision all round. Positive news.
By Tom
Fantastic news. We need more stores to open not close in Merseyway shopping ctr
By Anonymous
Level Brinington, and build a new hospital there.
By Graham
What a wonderful idea
By Anonymous
Where are all the shops in the precinct. Shops opening are coffee shops.
By Mrs Thompson
Why do people not understand that shops can open in Stockport if they want to, it’s not up to the council to out shops in, even Manchester doesn’t have the menswear shops you get in Leeds or Harrogate
By Anonymous
Good luck to JJF I hope it works out for them. The site is to small to replace Steppinghill so it must be to augment it then why was the infirmary closed and all the work going on at Steppinghill now.
By Mike Warren
Primark….
By Bogsy
This can only be good for Stockport and stops the building going into ruin.
By Wendy Bradbury