Former Taunton Debenhams building goes up for sale
Ropemaker Properties had previously applied to demolish the building and build 92 flats in its place, but those plans were scrapped in 2023.Former staff member Margaret Harris, who worked there for more than 37 years, said: "The department store brought people into town because it sold everything."It needs to be a department store again."Taunton and Wellington MP Gideon Amos, who had been campaigning for the store to reopen, told BBC Somerset the building "has been empty for far too long."It's a really positive opportunity that it's on the market, it's important it gets brought back into use."It would be great if the building could be kept. It is a landmark in the town centre," he said.
The 7,815 sq m (84,127 sq ft) building sits over five floors in a prominent location in Taunton's town centre.Andrew Maynard, partner at Alder King, who are managing the sale, said: "Although the commercial property market remains challenging, this building's enviable town centre location combined with Taunton's ambitious regeneration plans, means we are confident of finding a suitable buyer for this high-profile site."
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