Retail sector woes prompt council talks with shopping centre owners

Talks are underway between Scarborough Borough Council, Scarborough Town Centre Team and the owners of Brunswick Shopping Centre to try and develop a new vision for the centre.

News this week that all Debenhams branches in the country will close is a blow to Scarborough, where the store is anchor tenant in the Brunswick centre.

The Brunswick has also seen the loss of several other important tenants in the last 18 months.

As part of its town centre strategy, the council says it is looking at ways of breathing new life into the high street so more people can be attracted to the town centre.

The Scarborough town deal investment strategy aims to broaden leisure, learning and living opportunities in the centre of the town.

The council believes rejuvenating the high street can no longer be achieved using a retail model.

Council Leader, Cllr Steve Siddons, said: “The permanent loss of Debenhams from town centres is sad news, but not a huge surprise.

“My thoughts are with the many people who have lost jobs as a result, especially Debenhams staff in our borough.

“We now have to think differently about how town centres are rejuvenated and how we can create a new role and purpose for the high street.

“The Town Centre Team is working closely with colleagues at the shopping centre to explore what opportunities might exist.

“We are confident places like the Brunswick Centre will continue to be at the heart of a future Scarborough town centre.”

Richard Grunwell, chairman of the Town Centre Team, said: “I agree with Councillor Siddons. It is sad to hear that Debenhams will be closing; inevitably, this will have a considerable impact; not only on their staff and the Brunswick but on us all.

“The Town Centre Team has been working hard with the council and other organisations to ensure that Scarborough town centre has the bright future which the town deserves.”