Iconic Debenhams store is transformed into huge entertainment zone with 12-lane bowling alley, dancefloor & roller rink
AN iconic Debenhams store has been given a new lease of life after being transformed into an entertainment venue.
After the business went into administration in 2020, hundreds of the huge department stores were left empty on UK high streets.
4
4
4
Now, one of the abandoned stores has been completely transformed into the ultimate entertainment space.
The Debenhams in Midsummer Place, Milton Keynes has been revamped by entertainment company Lane 7.
The 40,000 square foot space has been kitted out with a bowling alley, roller skating rink, golf simulators, bumper cars, pool tables and a gaming experience.
Lane 7's Luke Harvey said: "The culture of what people want from their nights out has changed a lot recently, the shift from being a drinking culture has stopped a little bit, especially for 18-24 year olds.
"People want a little more from their nights out; they don't necessarily want to go to a nightclub anymore.
"They want something fun and something they can do with a range of different friends and families."
Since opening in March, the venue has seen about 2,300 visitors on its busiest days which are usually Friday nights and evenings.
The entertainment company has taken over the ground floor, while Sports Direct occupies the upper floors.
Although shoppers can still buy from Debenhams online, all of its 124 beloved high street stores closed down because of falling profits and rising debt.
The financial problems were triggered by a combination of consumers moving online, as well as Covid lockdowns which stalled profits.
Across the country, councils and developers have been repurposing former Debenhams stores.
One in Northampton was demolished and replaced by student housing in October 2024, a fate that will follow for the two other stores left in the city.
Similar plans are going ahead in Guildford, with 185 new homes replacing the former Debenhams store.
Other empty stores, including the ex-BHS and Marks and Spencer buildings on Abington Street, Northampton, will also be converted into flats to try and meet growing housing needs.
In Ipswich, the borough council have described the empty four story building as a "blight" on the town centre, overlooking the newly revamped Cornhill square.
The council claims the building's owner has rejected several applications from "well-known retailers" to take over the site.
A store in Norwich faces an uncertain future, with plans to demolish the shop to be rebuilt as student accommodation being fought by Historic England given its proximity to Norwich Castle.
Like the Milton Keynes store, some former Debenhams' have undergone an exciting revival.
A store in the Grafton Centre, Cambridge, is due to be converted into office and lab space for life science studies.
Redevelopment work is being undertaken by Corstorphine and Wright who said they had: "identified areas that could be removed to allow for new development, including a vacant flagship Debenhams store and an underused entrance plaza."
4
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
The Senedd passes a ban on plastic wet wipes
From December 18, 2026, it will be an offence in Wales to supply – or offer to supply – wet wipes containing plastic after the Senedd unanimously agreed regulations. Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister of Wales, said: 'There should be no place for wet wipes amongst the pebbles and the sand and the seaweed on our beautiful Welsh coastline. Mr Irranca-Davies, whose responsibilities include the environment, said a survey found 22 per cent of people admitted to having flushed wet wipes into the sewerage system. He warned a large volume of wet wipes – which often contain harmful plastic – enter the natural environment due to inappropriate disposal. He stressed an exemption will be in place if they are designed or manufactured for care and treatment because some people rely on medical-grade wet wipes that contain plastic. He explained that the regulations, which were passed by Senedd members on June 17, add plastic wet wipes to a 2023 law prohibiting a list of single-use plastic products. Mr Irranca-Davies said: 'This pollution, as we all know, is visible, its impact is tangible, and it's long-lasting. Taking decisive action will encourage manufacturers, retailers and consumers of the need to continue our shift towards reusable and non-plastic products.' He told Senedd members the ban will not extend to business-to-business supply, only covering supply to consumers as with other single-use plastics. 'Wet wipes for specific industrial use, where plastic-free alternatives are unsuitable or do not exist, are not included,' he said. 'But we will encourage these sectors to innovate.' The UK-turned-Welsh minister told the Senedd banning single use products is part of an ongoing drive to reduce the damage caused by microplastic pollution. The Conservatives' Janet Finch-Saunders said: 'It's not often that I say this but thank you very, very much… for bringing forward your statement today and indeed this ban.' Mr Irranca-Davies said the 18-month transition period will allow manufacturers time to adapt their business as he welcomed the cross-party support for the ban.
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
The Senedd passes a ban on plastic wet wipes
From December 18, 2026, it will be an offence in Wales to supply – or offer to supply – wet wipes containing plastic after the Senedd unanimously agreed regulations. Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister of Wales, said: 'There should be no place for wet wipes amongst the pebbles and the sand and the seaweed on our beautiful Welsh coastline. Mr Irranca-Davies, whose responsibilities include the environment, said a survey found 22 per cent of people admitted to having flushed wet wipes into the sewerage system. He warned a large volume of wet wipes – which often contain harmful plastic – enter the natural environment due to inappropriate disposal. He stressed an exemption will be in place if they are designed or manufactured for care and treatment because some people rely on medical-grade wet wipes that contain plastic. He explained that the regulations, which were passed by Senedd members on June 17, add plastic wet wipes to a 2023 law prohibiting a list of single-use plastic products. Mr Irranca-Davies said: 'This pollution, as we all know, is visible, its impact is tangible, and it's long-lasting. Taking decisive action will encourage manufacturers, retailers and consumers of the need to continue our shift towards reusable and non-plastic products.' He told Senedd members the ban will not extend to business-to-business supply, only covering supply to consumers as with other single-use plastics. 'Wet wipes for specific industrial use, where plastic-free alternatives are unsuitable or do not exist, are not included,' he said. 'But we will encourage these sectors to innovate.' The UK-turned-Welsh minister told the Senedd banning single use products is part of an ongoing drive to reduce the damage caused by microplastic pollution. The Conservatives' Janet Finch-Saunders said: 'It's not often that I say this but thank you very, very much… for bringing forward your statement today and indeed this ban.' Mr Irranca-Davies said the 18-month transition period will allow manufacturers time to adapt their business as he welcomed the cross-party support for the ban.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The 5 NEW anti-ageing style rules for summer florals, revealed by top fashion editor ALICE HARE. Exactly what to buy and how to stop yourself looking dated
Fashion. It's nothing if not cyclical. But do not be lulled into a false sense of security when I say florals are back. The ditsy flower-print tea dresses of five years ago have mercifully been relegated to the fashion compost heap (along with the espadrille wedges they were worn with).
