Blackpool Council buys department store for £1.4m
BLACKPOOL Council has bought the former Harvey’s department store in the town centre for £1.4m.
The council has already started refurbishment of the four-storey building, which fronts onto Birley Street, Cheapside and Abingdon Street.
The property, which has 28,500 sq ft of internal space, will be redeveloped to create a new mixed-use scheme with offices on the first and second floors. Works are expected to complete this August.
Negotiations are underway for Blackpool Coastal Housing to take 15,000 sq ft on the top two floors with its Home Stop Shop occupying part of the ground floor.
Cllr Maxine Callow, cabinet member for regeneration and tourism, said: “It has a prime location in the town centre and we wanted to ensure it is put to good use.
“We want to continue the regeneration of the town centre and hopefully the staff that coming to work in the building and the members of the public visiting will help to boost trade.
“Town centre businesses have been struggling through this recession and I hope they are encouraged by the news that both the former Woolworths and Harvey’s buildings will soon be back in use. “
King Sturge acted for owner, Dublin-based Friends First Assurance Company Ltd c/o F&C Ireland, on the deal.
