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PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW THE DEMOLITION OF THE FORMER DEBENHAMS DEPARTMENT STORE IN THE ORIGINAL ST DAVIDS ARCADE IN CARDIFF 12:27, 04 Feb 2025Updated 12:28, 04 Feb 2025 Cardiff's once-packed

Debenhams department store in the city centre is now no longer. Photos show the scale of the demolition work that has been completed at the site of the store, which used to be one of the

busiest in Wales' capital. The city's Debenhams was first built in 1981 and opened the following year as one of the cornerstones of the original St David's shopping arcade.

The vast shopping area spread over several floors was open for 39 years before the 242-year-old chain went into administration in 2021. In a sign of the huge changes that city centre retail

have faced in recent years, the site remained empty for several years before the owners of the St David's shopping centre, Land Securities, submitted plans in August 2024 to demolish

the site and replace it with a public square. _NEVER MISS A CARDIFF STORY BY __SIGNING UP TO OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER HERE_ Debenhams is just one of the longstanding city department stores to

close in recent years. The historic David Morgan store closed in 2005 after 125 years of trading and was redeveloped into apartments and individual shops facing onto the Hayes. And the

even-older Howells department store, which had traded for 158 years and had been rebranded as House of Fraser, shut in March 2023. There are now ambitious plans for its redevelopment. THESE

IMAGES SHOW DEBENHAMS AS IT USED TO LOOK: Article continues below TODAY, ALMOST THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE SITE HAS BEEN DEMOLISHED LEAVING ONLY THE FACADE OF THE BUILDING In place of

Debenhams, Land Securities (Landsec) has plans to change the area into a public square. The plans include a water fountain splash pad, a performance stage as well as the possibility for the

space to be used to host markets, local street food vendors and other events. The city centre landowning giant has said its £17m plan will create a 102,000 square foot public space

surrounded by two new restaurants, smaller kiosk-style units opening onto the square for food and beverages and a leisure space. Helen Morgan, centre director at St David’s Cardiff, said:

“The development of a new city square on the former Debenhams site is very exciting for St David’s and for the city. This investment means we can unlock the potential of this currently

under-used area and bring life and value back to this part of Cardiff. “After extensive engagement with the local community, our plans will offer new experiences for people and more

opportunities for brands, enabling St David’s to contribute even more to Cardiff’s thriving city centre and growing economy. We’re currently awaiting a decision on our planning application

from Cardiff City Council, and look forward to sharing good news and further details in the coming weeks.” Article continues below JOIN THE WALESONLINE WHATSAPP COMMUNITY WalesOnline has

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