The uncertainty over the future of Nottingham's landmark former Debenhams building has been labelled a 'disgraceful scandal' as it nears two years since its closure. The retailer in Long Row, Nottingham city centre, traded for the final time on May 4, 2021, before exiting the high street for good and leaving the Grade II-listed landmark vacant.
The site has been empty for nearly two years, with owners Altum Capital remaining silent on the future of the historic building. The ornate building, first constructed for Victorian entrepreneurs Mr W Griffin and J.T Spalding, has been on Long Row in some form for more than 180 years, yet its condition is now visibly deteriorating with cracked masonry on its columns, staining of its impressive façade, and grimy markings created by pigeons who sit on top of the redundant Debenhams lettering.
Conservationist Hilary Silvester, executive chair of Nottingham Civic Society, labelled the situation 'disgraceful'. "It's absolutely a shame and a scandal, when it's right at the centre of the city. We have our showpiece building in the Council House and the buildings around the square should be as notable and as well kept as that," Ms Silvester said.
