What does the future hold for Shrewsbury House of Fraser building?
Suggestions for the future of a landmark retail building include turning it into a boutique hotel or a restaurant.
But whatever happens to the House of Fraser store in High Street, Shrewsbury, its future has created great debate.
Town leaders and councillors were today agreed that the building is key to the success of the town centre and that its future use needs to be carefully considered.
But with a number of big-name retailers struggling, including the likes of Debenhams, the whole concept of the department store is now one that is being debated nationally.
Della Porta, renamed Rackhams in 1976 following a takeover by House of Fraser, had been a fixture in Shrewsbury town centre since 1857.
The business moved into its present premises on the corner of High Street in about 1929 from its original outlet in Princess Street.
In 1948 the store was taken over by the Hide & Co chain, although the Della Porta name was retained and the shop continued to expand.
When it celebrated its centenary in 1957, it had more than 40 departments, selling everything from washing machines to soft furnishings.
The chairman of Shrewsbury Civic Society Byron Grainger-Jones believes the building, which has space on three floors, should retain its department store feel and attract small storeholders keen to showcase their individuality.
His view are echoed by the leader of Shrewsbury Town Council Alan Mosley who said: “It should be a department store but I know that in the end it will be about the best returns the owners can get.
"I would love to see it continue to have some quality retail space on the ground floor, although I expect that office or accommodation on the upper floors would be the first choice.
“It is important the retail space is retained. The Big Town Plan, which is due to be published, will encourage investors to take an interest in the town centre.
"The Big Town Plan will show investors what a good place Shrewsbury is to get involved with.”
Jane Mackenzie, former town mayor, said that she hoped there would not be a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction to the store becoming vacant and that serious thought and consideration goes in to the planning process.
She added: “We want to consider how we want the town to look in five to 10 years’ time and that should form the decisions.
"We should be looking at this strategically to keep the heart of the town beating.”
Peter Bettis, chairman of Shrewsbury Business Chamber said while he would prefer for the building to maintain its current identity, he felt that to be realistic he thought that the historic building would be better turned in to 10 luxury flats on the upper floors and office space on the ground floor.
