// Debenhams Leicester store to be converted into 300 rental flats
// The plans were developed in association with private-rented-sector specialist Packaged Living
The former Debenhams store in Leicester is set to be converted into 300 rental flats, following a public consultation which took place at the end of last year.
Property giant Hammerson has submitted plans to Leicester City Council to redevelop the former Debenhams store which is part of the Highcross shopping centre on St Peter’s Lane.
The plans were developed in association with private-rented-sector specialist Packaged Living.
READ MORE: Debenhams shuts down all 15 Scottish stores; 647 jobs lost in liquidation update
The submission of plans follows a virtual public consultation which took place at the end of last year.
Local community members were invited to view the plans and attend a virtual community meeting and Q&A session with the project team.
The scheme will provide more than 300 new homes, as well as resident amenities including a roof garden.
“Since opening its doors in 2008, Highcross has firmly established itself as an integral part of Leicester’s city core,” Hammerson managing director UK and Ireland Mark Bourgeois said.
“While the structural shift in retail and changing consumer shopping habits have meant that destinations such as Highcross need to adapt their offer and mix of uses, well-connected city centre locations such as this will always be places where people want to be.
“We are delighted to submit this proposal for high-quality homes for local people to rent, which will support our brands at Highcross and contribute to the continued success of Leicester City centre.”
With all of Debenhams’ stores closing down permanently as part of the liquidation and wind-down process, it means up to 12,000 staff would not have their jobs saved.
Since it fell into administration last April, Debenhams had already announced significant job losses and store closures – including the more recent announcement of six store closures, of which its flagship outlet on London’s Oxford Street was a part.
That administration itself was the second of its kind that Debenhams had launched within the space of 12 months.
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