The Crown Estate

Nov 30, 2023

Plans for Next to relocate to shopping park's former Debenhams store scrapped The Coliseum Shopping Park unit has been empty for over two years Bookmark How the proposed new Next store inside the old Debenhams branch could have looked. (Image: Planning Application) There's no excuse to miss out on What's On in Cheshire! Sign up to our newsletter for all the latest on food, drink and entertainment Invalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! Group 28 There's no excuse to miss out on What's On in Cheshire! Sign up to our newsletter for all the latest on food, drink and entertainment Invalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up × Plans for Next to relocate its long-standing Ellesmere Port shopping park base by moving into the vacant former Debenhams store have been scrapped. A planning application submitted by the Coliseum Shopping Park owner, The Crown Estate, for alterations to the empty building has been withdrawn. Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning department confirmed the withdrawal this week. The plans were first unveiled in February for the old Debenhams unit to become the Coliseum's 'anchor' store, with the proposed shopfront revamp enabling Next to be the site's 'standout' site. When Cheshire Live approached The Crown Estate about the application being withdrawn and what it means for the future of the vacant unit, it declined to comment. Debenhams closed the last of its stores - including the Ellesmere Port branch - on May 15, 2021, after the company collapsed in the wake of the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns. The 243-year-old retailer sold its brand and website to online giant Boohoo for £55 million in January, but confirmed its bricks-and-mortar business would close for good. Next has been based at its current premises - at the opposite end to the Debenhams store - for more than 10 years after it was vacated by the popular former bookstore chain Borders back in 2009. Back in September, we reported that separate plans submitted by The Crown Estate to revamp the long-standing Next store "to help meet the speculative needs of future occupiers" had been given the green light. In the same month, discount supermarket chain Aldi refused to rule out opening a store on the Coliseum Shopping Park amid rumours it was eyeing up the Next unit. The retailer would not be drawn on the speculation, but did admit it is "looking for a new store in this area". The Crown Estate said it was unable to comment.