Gideon Amos calls for action on Debenhams store

Taunton MP Gideon Amos called for action to help revitalise the town’s former Debenhams store in Parliament yesterday (Wednesday).

He was speaking in a debate about the government’s policy on high street rental auctions, held in Westminster Hall.

New rules will allow councils to auction off leases for commercial properties which have been empty for long periods.

Mr Amos said after the debate: “I was able to highlight the importance of the Debenhams building being regenerated and revitalised and pay tribute to the efforts of my Lib Dem colleagues on Taunton Town Council who have been trying to secure a future for the building.

“High street auctions are one of the powers made available to councils by the government but unfortunately those powers don’t apply to former department stores.

“As there are so many big and important buildings in our high streets, I urged the minister to reconsider so that these buildings can be regenerated and brought back into use.

“It's really important to me that we get the Debenhams building reoccupied and I'm pleased to be working now with the owners.

The minister taking part in the debate, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Rushanara Ali MP, responded directly to the questions Mr Amos raised in his speech saying that a range of other measures, including compulsory purchase powers, were available to councils to address long-term empty buildings.

In the debate, Mr Amos promoted the "vibrant" town centres in Taunton and Wellington citing the new businesses which have moved in, their food and street festivals and the new Banking Hub in Wellington.

He quoted from the County Gazette, describing the seven new businesses which had opened in Taunton in the past year, and highlighted the increased occupancy rate in Taunton town centre, from 85% to 90% over 12 months.

Mr Amos added "I'm grateful to the owners of Taunton's former Debenhams building for coming back to me and I'm looking forward to meeting with them to discuss a way forward.”

The Debenhams store in North Street closed in May, 2021, and has been empty ever since.