Swindon – The iconic building that once housed Debenhams department store in Swindon, which has been vacant for over three years, is set to receive a new lease on life. Away Storage Ltd has received approval from Swindon Borough Council to transform this landmark building into an ‘urban self-storage’ facility, bringing a new utility to the heart of the town.
The Debenhams store, a staple of Swindon’s retail landscape, closed its doors in June 2020. Since then, the prominent building, located at the intersection of Fleming Way and The Parade, has remained unoccupied. This new development project by Away Storage Ltd aims to repurpose the building while retaining a portion of its commercial essence.
The plan includes the creation of four retail units on the ground floor, accessible from The Parade, offering space for other businesses to operate. This aspect of the proposal seems to have played a crucial role in winning over some of the planners at the council, who initially expressed reservations about converting such a central and accessible location into a storage facility.
Away Storage Ltd addressed these concerns by highlighting the lack of interest in the property for retail use since its closure. They pointed out the risk of further deterioration and obsolescence of the building, emphasizing the changing dynamics of shopping preferences, with a shift towards smaller retail spaces, flexible leases, and online shopping.
The company’s approach to urban self-storage is centered on revitalizing town centers by repurposing large, empty units like the former Debenhams store. They aim to provide sustainable solutions that serve the needs of city-center residents and local businesses, within easy reach of public transport and major highways.
Despite some concerns from the council’s planning policy officer about the low-density use of such a prime town center location and the building’s functional relationship to Fleming Way, the proposal was eventually approved. A key condition for the approval is that the four ground-floor retail units must be prepared for occupancy and actively marketed before any self-storage units become operational.
This development represents a significant change in the use of prime urban real estate, reflecting evolving retail trends and the growing demand for centrally located storage solutions in urban areas.
