Almost five years after Debenhams closed its remaining 142 shops nationwide, the former Bromley store has stood empty since it shut on May 15, 2021, leaving a prominent gap in one of the town centre’s busiest shopping areas.
But new plans submitted to Bromley Council have revealed that the former Debenhams store will be split into several new retail and leisure units spread across different levels of the building.
Led by The Glades Shopping Centre, with planning and development consultancy Lichfields acting on its behalf, plans were approved February 3, 2026 following a public consultation in July last year.
The former department store has remained vacant since its closure, something planners said had a negative impact on footfall, vitality and the overall appearance of the area, particularly along Elmfield Road.
Planning officers concluded that subdividing the large unit was preferable to leaving it empty long-term, considering the ongoing challenges in the retail sector.
The approved plans will see the former Debenhams repurposed into a mix of modern retail and leisure units.
A planning officer wrote these units are designed to attract new operators, extend activity beyond regular shopping hours and support Bromley’s evening and night-time economy.
A significant amount of retail floorspace will be retained, in line with planning policy.
Under the proposals, the building will be split across multiple levels.
At street level, a 1,390 square metre leisure unit will be created with direct access from Elmfield Road.
This unit has been approved for 24-hour, seven-day operation and is intended for indoor sport, recreation or fitness use, although no operator has yet been confirmed.
Changes to the other levels include the creation of additional leisure space on the lower mall level, a new retail unit in the former Superdrug store, and a large upper mall retail unit incorporating the former Superdry store, aimed at attracting a major retailer.
Physical changes to the building include the subdivision of the original Debenhams unit, infilling of the internal atrium to create an additional 266 square metres of floorspace, alterations to shopfronts and signage, and roof-level works including the replacement of plant equipment with quieter, more efficient units.
Further changes also include the addition of new seating and planters planned along Elmfield Road, as well as a new pedestrian ramp to improve accessibility.
Following a public consultation, 386 responses were received, with more than 95 per cent of respondents supporting the repurposing of the vacant Debenhams unit.
The units are expected to open by winter 2026.
