Fresh plans have been lodged to convert the former Debenhams building in Harrogate into 34 apartments.

Wetherby-based Stirling Prescient No. 1 Limited has tabled the proposal to North Yorkshire Council for the site on Parliament Street.

The building has been home to different retailers for more than a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.

A previous application from Stirling Prescient had proposed the demolition of the building to make way for 50 flats. However, this was withdrawn in May 2022.

The fresh plan would retain the site and see the upper floors converted into 34 flats. The ground floor and basement levels would be used as “flexible commercial space” or a “drinking establishment”.

Debenhams on Parliament Street, Harrogate pictured in April 2020.

It also proposes erecting a rooftop extension, plus the removal and replacement of canopies, shop fronts and slate roof, and removal and re-cladding of the facade of the 1960s element of the building.

A secure cycle store and seven car parking spaces are also included in the plan.

In documents submitted to the council, the developer said the new proposal would help to restore the site.

It said:

“The proposed development is located within the heart of the town centre with excellent pedestrian and public transport links and will provide a high quality and vibrant new residential development.

“The proposed building will create a new focal point along Parliament Street, restoring and sympathetically converting the current buildings on the site.”

‘Substantially revised’ proposal

The move comes as previous proposals to demolish the site were met with opposition.

In March 2022, Emma Gibbens, conservation officer at Harrogate Borough Council, said the demolition of the building would harm the local area.

She said:

“The loss of the traditional building form and architectural detail would be harmful to the street scene and character and special interest of the conservation area, the building forming part of the designated heritage asset in a manner that contributes positively to its character.”

The objection followed similar concerns from campaign group Save Britain’s Heritage, which said the developer had failed to provide “clear or adequate justification” for demolishing the building.

Read more:

• Heritage groups say ‘no justification’ for Harrogate Debenhams demolition
• Plans submitted to demolish former Harrogate Debenhams
• Harrogate council conservation officer ‘cannot support’ Debenhams demolition

However, Historic England said it supported regeneration of the site but added that there should be a “sensitive conversion” of the two older department store buildings.

Documents submitted to the council as part of the fresh proposal acknowledged that plans to demolish the store were not well received.

However, it added that the scheme had been “substantially revised and positively respond to the feedback received”.

It said:

“The proposals will secure the long-term future of the site which will deliver wide ranging and lasting benefits to the town centre. Flexible commercial space at ground level and new residential development will strengthen the town’s long-term vitality and viability.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plans at a later date.

In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2022, we look at the business which have opened and closed this past year.

It has been a year of change on the business scene across the Harrogate district.

Some long-standing brands closed their doors for the final time, while many new businesses arrived, and others changed hands.

Among the most high-profile arrivals was Leon, which opened its first Harrogate district branch in June. After disputes over signage in the run-up to opening, the chain restaurant hit the headlines again when, the day before it opened, its offer of free food in exchange for feedback from customers added to the queues of traffic on Wetherby Road.

Other hospitality brands arriving in Harrogate for the first time included Cosy Club, Giggling Squid and Pret. Meanwhile, the independent scene was also enhanced with the likes of the Sunshine Bakery in Boroughbridge and Husk Beer Emporium’s move to a bar in Harrogate.

Manager Erin Seelig at Cortado on Leeds Road.

Leeds Road in Harrogate proved a top spot for coffee shops, with Cortado and Folk both arriving this year, while Kings Road remained a popular place for independents as Lilypad and Pink Door opened.

There were also numerous arrivals in retail, largely from national chains: Jules B and Oliver Bonas both opened in central Harrogate, while Hotel Chocolat expanded to a larger premises.

Lidl was the major new name when it came to supermarkets, with its new Harrogate store opening in October to add to its existing Knaresborough branch. Tesco also opened its Killinghall convenience store, while Sainsbury’s Local began trading on Cambridge Street in Harrogate.

Read more:

• Revival for James Street as major brands set to open doors
• Caffeine boost: The rise of the independent coffee shops in Harrogate

There were a few close calls too: vegan restaurant Vertigo announced last year it would open in the bottom of the Everyman cinema building, but after months without any progress, confirmed in March it had gone out of business.

Tomahawk Steakhouse, meanwhile, said it planned to open in the former Solita Food Hall on Station Parade, but in its last update this autumn said it was still awaiting access to the venue:

“At the moment Tomahawk are tied up with legalities that have unfortunately been completely out of our control.

“We were all prepared and ready to go, but with liquidators from the previous owners comes a lot of red tape. We have had to sit on the sidelines whilst it gets thrashed out between the relevant parties.

“It is a shame because we would love to get going with everything and get open, but it’s completely out of our hands.”

A number of businesses reopened under new ownership this year, including some with new names. Among them was one of Harrogate’s oldest brands, Fattorini, which changed hands at the beginning of the year.

Gino D’Acampo’s My Restaurant in Harrogate became Piccolino, another brand in the same group, while the Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant opened for the first time since the end of 2020, unveiling newly refurbished premises.

Elsewhere, Jespers Bar and Kitchen opened in the former Hustle and Co premises on Station Parade, and HG1 Grill and World Bar took over the former Bistrot Pierre site on Cheltenham Parade, which had been occupied by Samsons for just a few months at the beginning of the year.

Ruebery Flowers in Knaresborough became River and Rose under new owner Kirsty Wilson, while The Old Deanery in Ripon reopened following a refurbishment by Chris Layton and Rebecca Hill, who took over following its closure in late 2020.

The former Millstones restaurant on the A59 near Menwith Hill became the Outside Inn, while the Old Spring Well was relaunched as the Curious Cow.

Expansion

There were also successes for many established businesses across the district.

The Secret Bakery expanded from its Harrogate outlet to a second branch in Knaresborough, while bookshop Imagined Things moved to new premises on Montpellier Hill.

Prologue, Starling and Cold Bath Brewing Company in Harrogate all expanded their operations, as did Ripon’s Caffe Nero.

And it wasn’t just in retail and hospitality where new businesses arrived: Ebru Evrim opened its yoga studio on Harrogate’s James Street, while new gyms Coach and Lift added to the fitness scene in Harrogate.

This year has also seen some losses across the district, including long-standing businesses.

Catch – which had taken over and rebranded the former Graveley’s fish and chip restaurant on Cheltenam Parade – ceased trading in October.

Ripon’s Bambudda closed in July, following the closure of the Black a Moor Inn at Bridge Hewick in March.

Other hospitality businesses lost this year included Gron and Cafe M. Among the shops lost were the Refilling Station, Orvis and Sofa Workshop. Cocktail bar 63rd+1st was lost less than a year after opening on Harrogate’s Albert Street.

There was sadness among many young families as Brimham Rocks Activity Farm announced it would no longer be welcoming visitors to its barns and fields from September, though it continued to offer a mobile petting farm, reindeer hire and other activities elsewhere. Dozens of parents expressed their sadness on social media after the news was announced.

Finally, some prominent premises that used to be home to big brands still stood empty in 2022.

The former Debenhams building, which closed its doors for the last time in January 2021, had been earmarked for demolition, but plans to replace it with “high quality” apartments were withdrawn in May this year.

And the former Slug and Lettuce premises on Montpellier Hill has stood empty all year after closing in spring 2021. Plans were submitted in September this year to convert it into retail premises and apartments.

It is no doubt a challenging time in retail and hospitality, and 2023 will certainly bring more changes.

Having already reported on plans lodged to deliver new bars, restaurants and shops, the Stray Ferret will bring you all the news about new arrivals and departures throughout the year.

A plan to demolish Harrogate’s former Debenhams store on Parliament Street has been withdrawn.

Wetherby-based property company Stirling Prescient submitted a proposal to demolish the three buildings that Debenhams was situated in and replace them with 50 flats and two commercial units.

The site on Parliament Street has been home to different retailers for more than a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.

However, according to Harrogate Borough Council’s online planning portal, the application has now been withdrawn.

It follows an objection from Emma Gibbens, the council’s conservation officer, who raised concerns that the demolition of the building would harm the local area.

She said:

“The loss of the traditional building form and architectural detail would be harmful to the street scene and character and special interest of the conservation area, the building forming part of the designated heritage asset in a manner that contributes positively to its character.”

A CGI view of the planned apartments at Debenhams on Parliament Street.

Ms Gibbens added that the developer needed to prove that the demolition was justified.

The objection followed similar concerns from campaign group Save Britain’s Heritage, which said the developer had failed to provide “clear or adequate justification” for demolishing the building.

Read more:

• Heritage groups say ‘no justification’ for Harrogate Debenhams demolition
• Plans submitted to demolish former Harrogate Debenhams
• Harrogate council conservation officer ‘cannot support’ Debenhams demolition

However, Historic England said it supported regeneration of the site but added that there should be a “sensitive conversion” of the two older department store buildings.

Stirling Prescient said in documents submitted to the council:

“The proposals as a whole will strengthen the town’s vitality and viability, increasing footfall and contributing to the local economy.

“The proposal represents a sustainable form of development and therefore benefits from the presumption in favour of sustainable development, meaning planning permission should be granted without delay.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Leeds-based planning consultants Quod, which were the agent for the developer, to ask why the application was withdrawn.

However, we did not receive a response by the time of publication.

A report from the national charity SAVE Britain’s Heritage has named the former Debenhams buildings in Harrogate as one of 18 former ‘cathedrals of commerce’ that should be spared from demolition and repurposed.

Wetherby-based property company Stirling Prescient is behind a proposal to demolish the three buildings on Parliament Street and replace them with 50 flats and two commercial units.

The site on Parliament Street has been home to different retailers for over a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.

But the developer has said there is no market for the building to be reoccupied as a department store, and the 1902 and 1920-era buildings should be torn down.

Departing stores

The report, called ‘Departing Stores’, sounds the warning klaxon for a group of former department stores across the UK that are at serious risk of being permanently lost.

As well as Harrogate’s Debenhams, it includes large empty buildings in Liverpool, Bristol and London.

The report says:

“In a new era when large-scale retail is no longer sustainable, these fine structures are at risk of dilapidation or even demolition. And as these hubs of daily life are erased from the map, local communities feel increasingly disenfranchised.

“Protecting and reviving these buildings is not only a matter of preserving precious and distinctive architecture; it is an opportunity to restore a sense of place.”

The report says the demise of Debenhams alone left a hole of 1.3 million square metres of space across the country, with 90% of stores still empty a year later.

Read more:

• Harrogate council conservation officer ‘cannot support’ Debenhams demolition
• Plans submitted to demolish former Harrogate Debenhams

A new fate

The developer Stirling Prescient said in planning documents that there was no scope to convert the Harrogate Debenhams into smaller units “due to its internal layout and the age of the building”.

It said its new plan will “strengthen the town’s vitality and viability, increasing footfall and contributing to the local economy.”

However, the report includes 14 case studies of former department stores that have been successfully regenerated.

These include Bournemouth’s former Debenhams building that closed as a department store in May 2021 and is now home to a wide range of community activities:

“Developers Verve Properties have been imaginative in their ideas for keeping the building in active use. Besides retail, the store now houses an art gallery, beauty parlour and Bobby’s, Bournemouth local makers’ market.

“Later this year a food hall and rooftop terrace bar will open. Several spaces have a social function, hosting knitting meet-ups and children’s entertainers. The varied mix of community-focussed uses seems most faithful to the original department store – a place where people from all walks of life can gather and enjoy themselves.”

Read the full report here.

Harrogate Borough Council‘s conservation officer has objected to the demolition of the former Debenhams building on Parliament Street.

Wetherby-based property company Stirling Prescient is behind a proposal to demolish the three buildings that Debenhams was situated in and replace them with 50 flats and two commercial units.

The site on Parliament Street has been home to different retailers for over a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.

But the developer has said there is no market for the building to be reoccupied as a department store, and the 1902 and 1920-era buildings should be torn down.

‘Harmful to the streetscene’

The council’s objection was submitted last month by Emma Gibbens, principal conservation officer.

Ms Gibbens wrote:

“The loss of the traditional building form and architectural detail would be harmful to the streetscene and character and special interest of the conservation area, the building forming part of the designated heritage asset in a manner that contributes positively to its character.”

Ms Gibbens added that the developer needed to prove that the demolition was justified.

She wrote that redevelopment of the site was possible in a way that did not involve the demolition of historic buildings.

She added:

“If demolition can be proven to be required, then a revised scheme would be required for a replacement building; otherwise, the historic buildings should be retained and the later parts replaced with buildings that enhance the conservation area.”

The council’s planning committee will decide on the proposal but the objection by a senior council official is a blow to the developers.

Read more:

• Heritage groups say ‘no justification’ for Harrogate Debenhams demolition
• Plans submitted to demolish former Harrogate Debenhams

The council joins two influential heritage groups in submitting objections to the plans.

In January, Save Britain’s Heritage said the developer had failed to provide “clear or adequate justification” for demolishing the buildings.

The public body Historic England has also submitted an objection to the plans. Whilst welcoming the regeneration of the site, it said there should be a “sensitive conversion” of the two older department store buildings.

But the demolition has been supported by Harrogate Civic Society, which said it accepted the building was “very difficult to convert in a logical and practical way”.

However, the group objected to the height of the replacement building, which it said was “overpowering.”

Strengthen the town

A CGI view of the new apartments on Parliament Street.

The developer Stirling Prescient said in planning documents that there was no scope to convert the building into smaller units “due to its internal layout and the age of the building”.

Stirling Prescient said:

“The proposals as a whole will strengthen the town’s vitality and viability, increasing footfall and contributing to the local economy.

“The proposal represents a sustainable form of development and therefore benefits from the presumption in favour of sustainable development, meaning planning permission should be granted without delay.”

Two influential national heritage groups have issued strong objections to plans to demolish the former Debenhams building on Parliament Street in Harrogate.

Wetherby-based property company Stirling Prescient is behind a proposal to demolish three buildings and replace them with 50 high-end apartments along with two commercial units.

The site has been home to different retailers on Parliament Street for over a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.

But in documents submitted to the council, the developer said the buildings need to be demolished as their size means they are no longer viable for retail.

‘Historic and architectural value’

Campaign group and charity Save Britain’s Heritage submitted an objection to the plans this week, saying the developer had failed to provide “clear or adequate justification” for demolishing the 1902 and 1920 era buildings.

Another building next to Westminster Arcade that was added in the 1960s is also set for demolition.

The group says the two older buildings have “considerable historic and architectural value” and “add greatly” to the character and significance of Parliament Street.

“No evidence or analysis has been provided to show unequivocally why the buildings cannot be retained and refurbished. Demolition is an extreme response to development in such a historic context, and therefore sets a commensurately high threshold for justification.”

Busby’s on Parliament Street. Copyright: Walker-Neesam Archive.

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Read more:

• Plans submitted to demolish former Harrogate Debenhams

• What next for Debenhams building in Harrogate?

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In December, the public body Historic England also submitted an objection to the plans.

Whilst welcoming the regeneration of the site, it said there should be a “sensitive conversion” of the two older department store buildings.

It said:

“We have particular concerns over the proposed demolition of the early 20th century buildings on the corner of Oxford Street and Parliament Street contributing positively to the appearance and character of the conservation area, for which there is no clear and convincing justification.”

A CGI view of the new apartments on Parliament Street.

Stirling Prescient said in planning documents:

“The proposals as a whole will strengthen the town’s vitality and viability, increasing footfall and contributing to the local economy.

“The proposal represents a sustainable form of development and therefore benefits from the presumption in favour of sustainable development, meaning planning permission should be granted without delay.”

It has undoubtedly been a tough year for businesses across the Harrogate district as the effects of the pandemic have continued to be felt.

There have been a number of closures over the year. However, 2021 has also seen some businesses buck the trend, with new shops opening in the district.

Here is a look back at some of the notable business closures and launches in the last year.

Debenhams, Harrogate

For generations, the Debenhams building on Parliament Street has been one of the major retail landmarks in Harrogate.

But sadly at the start of 2021, as the country was in the grip of a third lockdown, the retail giant announced the town’s branch would not be reopening.

The site had been a retail unit on Parliament Street for over a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.

The building has stood empty ever since its closure.

However, in December the Stray Ferret revealed that developers have submitted plans to demolish it and build 50 apartments on the site, along with two commercial units.

Aldi, Knaresborough

Knaresborough Aldi

A new Aldi supermarket opened its doors to customers in Knaresborough on January 28.

The 8,000 square metre site was built on Swallowtail Way, near the Manse Farm housing development on York Road, after plans were approved in May 2020.

Solita Food Hall, Harrogate

Solita Food Hall

Harrogate’s first food hall opened its doors in May with an aim to serve up a range of different cuisines under one roof.

Solita Food Hall, on Parliament Street, was located in the former Jamie’s Italian building and was set over two floors, including a rooftop terrace.

Under the Shoot the Bull brand, it housed Rupert’s Coffee House, Rotisserie & Grill, Solita Wagyu Burger, Slice Me Nicely Pizza, Cure & Pour Wines and Solita Fish Bar.

However, it wasn’t around for long, closing after just six months in November.

Tomahawk Steakhouse, which had been planning to move into the empty Bistrot Pierre restaurant on Cheltenham Parade, is now planning to move into the large building.

Cut by Farmison & Co, Ripon

Farmison & Co’s boutique butcher shop, Cut

Cut, online butcher Farmison & Co’s first physical shop, opened at the company’s Bondgate Green head office in Ripon in July.

The boutique butcher’s is aimed at showcasing “the crown jewels” of Yorkshire heritage breed meat and allows customers to select from the online range and collect within an hour of placing an order.

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Read more:

• Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to get monthly artisan markets
• Royal Baths Chinese restaurant reveals plans to re-open

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Fi:k, Harrogate and Knaresborough

Vicky Somerville and Luke Morland of Fi:k outside the new café in Harrogate

A Swedish-inspired coffee shop opened its doors in Harrogate in August with ambitious £780,000 plans to roll out the concept across Yorkshire.

Fi:k has renovated 1 Montpellier Gardens, which used to be the home of furniture business Covet.

In December it opened a café on Knaresborough Market Place.

Hotel Chocolat

Queues at the launch of the new Hotel Chocolat store

Queues formed on James Street for the opening of the new, relocated Hotel Chocolat store. Around 30 people waited for the store to open on October 22, with staff serving hot chocolate to them whilst they waited.

The new store is almost opposite the old one, but is larger with a café that can seat 30 people at the back of the shop. The chocolate chain has seen rapid growth in recent years and the new store has had up to 15 staff in the run up to Christmas — double the number of the previous store.

Crimple, Harrogate

Crimple Food Hall

Harrogate’s huge new £6m food hall in Pannal, which overlooks the Crimple Valley, opened its doors in November.

The 48,000 sq ft building, which is simply called Crimple, includes a butchery counter, an in-house bakery and patisserie, a floristry and a 160-seat restaurant.

Crimple has been owned by Graham Watson since 2013. With a personal investment of £4m for the construction, plus £2m for the fit-out, the business-owner created the town’s latest foodie destination in a bid to showcase all the amazing produce the district has to offer.

Previous visitors to Crimple Valley will remember the former antiques centre at the site. This has been completely knocked down and the food hall and restaurant has been built in its place. The garden centre remains and the existing restaurant and terrace has become an events space.

Fattorini, Harrogate

Harrogate’s oldest independent shop, A. Fattorini the Jeweller announced it will close after 190 years of trading

Thought to be the oldest independent jeweller in Harrogate, A. Fattorini, has been located on Parliament Street since 1884.

The announced closure of the Harrogate institution was marked by a closing down sale, which saw people queuing down the street.

It is set to close on January 8, 2022.

63rd+1st, Harrogate

The Manhattan-style cocktail bar at 63rd+1st

Harrogate’s answer to a Manhattan cocktail bar opened its doors in November, with the launch of 63rd+1st.

Decked out in trendy dark blue and gold, and featuring lots of greenery, the restaurant, lounge and bar on Albert Street is aimed at customers who might just want a nibble and a drink after work or a meal out with friends.

The venue was developed by Hostmore PLC, which also includes TGI Fridays as part of its portfolio.

Harrogate’s branch was the third to open in the UK, behind Surrey in May and Glasgow in September.

53 Bo Grove, Harrogate

Kyrensa Bentley when she opened a pancake shack (left) with a general view of 53 Bo Grove

Bohemian Harrogate cafe, antiques and garden centre 53 Bo Grove, on Grove Road, just off Kings Road, closed in December, after more than two years of business.

The business became a vital hub for residents during the early coronavirus lockdowns by staying open at a time when many supermarkets were struggling for stock.

Owner Kyrensa Bentley attempted to improve business by opening a pancake shack and a farm shop on site.

Ms Bentley, who opened the business in September 2019, told the Stray Ferret she made the decision to close after struggling on a number of fronts, including the difficult location and the impact of the pandemic.

She will continue to operate Bo Grove at Oxford Street, which opened in November 2020.

Developers have submitted plans to demolish the former Debenhams building on Harrogate’s Parliament Street.

Wetherby-based property company Stirling Prescient plans to build 50 apartments on the site along with two commercial units.

The site had been a retail unit on Parliament Street for over a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.

However, the building has stood empty since Debenhams closed for good in January this year.

According to documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, a five-storey building would be built in its place.

It would include two commercial units on the ground floor and a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom apartments on the upper floors. The apartments would surround a central courtyard which would include plants and seating for residents.

A computer generated image of how the former Debenhams building would look from the Ginnel.

Meanwhile, the basement level of the building will include a 15-space car park with access from Union Street. A cycle store with space for 50 bicycles would also be built.

The developer said in a planning statement that there was “no market” for the building to be reoccupied as a department store.

Read more:

• Civic society cautiously welcomes plan to redevelop former Debenhams building
• 52 social homes built in Harrogate despite 1,800 households stuck on waiting list

It added that there was no scope to convert the building into smaller units “due to its internal layout and the age of the building”.

In documents submitted to the council, Stirling Prescient said:

“The proposals as a whole will strengthen the town’s vitality and viability, increasing footfall and contributing to the local economy. 

“The proposal represents a sustainable form of development and therefore benefits from the presumption in favour of sustainable development, meaning planning permission should be granted without delay.”

Stuart Holland, chair of Harrogate Civic Society, a group that comments on significant planning applications in the town, told the Stray Ferret previously that members had met with the developer for a presentation on their plans.

He said due to the historical significance of the building, demolition will only be acceptable to the civic society if what replaces it is “of the highest quality”.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Harrogate Civic Society has welcomed plans to demolish the former Debenhams building on Parliament Street so it can be replaced with a new six-storey structure, but said the proposals need to improved.

Last week, Wetherby-based property firm Stirling Prescient unveiled plans for a building on the site with retail, leisure and food and drink units on the ground floor and 1,2 and 3-bedroom apartments on the upper floors. There would also be a basement floor for car parking and bicycle storage.

The developer said the current building, which is empty after Debenhams moved out in January, is not suitable for conversion to smaller units due to its layout and age and risks becoming an “eyesore” unless it’s redeveloped.

Stuart Holland, chair of the Harrogate Civic Society, a group that comments on significant planning applications in the town, told the Stray Ferret that members recently met with the developer for a presentation on their plans.

He said due to the historical significance of the building, demolition will only be acceptable to the civic society if what replaces it is “of the highest quality”.

He added that the society welcomes the mix of retail and housing but said six storeys is “too high” so it is encouraging the developer to reduce it by one storey so it does not tower over the area.

Read more:

• Plans to demolish and replace Harrogate’s former Debenhams building
• Homeless people blocked off from Harrogate Debenhams

The society says the proposed roof level is “too dominant” and a substantially glazed structure would be preferred – similar to the proposed rooftop restaurant of the Crescent Gardens building.

It is also recommending that the building’s stained glass windows should be salvaged and re-purposed.

Mr Holland added:

“We understand that a full planning application will be made in the coming weeks and we hope the developer will take on board the Civic Society comments that aim to be constructive.”

Stirling Prescient has invited comments from the public about their plans at the following email address: planning@westminsterhouseharrogate.co.uk

The owner of the former Debenhams building in Harrogate has blocked off the entrance after business owners raised concerns about homeless people in the area.

In recent days workers have built and painted a wooden structure to block off any shelter at the building on Parliament Street.

It comes a couple of weeks after Lucy Gardiner, a local business owner, posted pictures of homeless people in the entrance on the Harrogate Residents Association Facebook group.

Read more:

• Plans to demolish and replace Harrogate’s former Debenhams building
• History: Remembering Debenham’s, Busby’s and Buckley’s

Homeless people took shelter in the entrance. Photo: Lucy Gardiner

She told the Stray Ferret at the time:

“There is no shame in having standards and wanting the best for the town you love. This post was about awareness and having the conversation and wanting the best vision and future for Harrogate.

“I don’t have all the answers obviously but all I will say is that no-one can possibly walk past a homeless person sleeping in the street and think that this is okay.”

The Stray Ferret approached Harrogate Homeless Project for comment at the time but did not receive a reply.

Wetherby-based property firm Stirling Prescient, which owns the former Debenhams building, confirmed today it had “dealt with the issue” when approached by the Stray Ferret but declined to comment further.

Stirling Prescient  has recently unveiled it plans to demolish the site, which closed in January, and replace it with a brand new building with apartments and space for businesses on the ground floor.

The application warned that if the site cannot be brought back into use the empty building could become an “eyesore” and “blight the high street”.