Winchester market traders worry as scaffolding to go up at Debenhams

Debenhams, which has been closed and empty since 2021, is to be re-let to a trio of restaurant chains.

While currently unconfirmed, it is believed that the restaurant chains Five Guys, Nandos and Pizza Express, which already has a location on Bridge Street, will move into the ground floor.

The chains have been contacted by the Chronicle, with only a Five Guys spokesperson responding, saying that they are “not able to comment” at this time.

Scaffolding is scheduled to be erected to the rear of Debenhams on Monday, October 2, with further scaffolding at the front approximately six days later. It will be in place until the end of February.

READ MORE: Civic chiefs aiming to boost High Street market

It has been feared that the new scaffolding will impact the Winchester street market.

Market manager Peter Lovesey said that some of the traders have raised concerns. He told the Chronicle: “They were worried. People have bought stuff and they’ve got to sell it basically, and if they can’t trade here they are in trouble for Christmas, as they bought two or three months of merchandise and they need to sell it. If they have no pitch they are in trouble.”

Mr Lovesey said that smaller 2m by 3m gazebos have been ordered for the traders located by the store so they will still be able to trade. He continued: “The three by threes will be too big, so the council has ordered 12 two by threes, which will fit perfectly. And they are willing to work with us through Christmas, and the flower pitch as well.”

“We’ve managed to work around it, so we’re over the moon.”

However, several stall holders are not so certain of the changes.

Amanda Harrington, also known as the Biltong Lady, said that she was considering looking for a pitch at a different market due to the upcoming changes.

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She said: “When the scaffolding goes up, you can only fit a 3m by 2m gazebo this side of the street. That will mean that most of us won’t be able to have our full quantity of stock. And then, two weeks before Christmas we’re here, and we always bring a certain amount more stock during Christmas, and we’re not going to be able to get that in a smaller gazebo.

Amanda Harrington (Image: Newsquest)“Plus, our rent goes up for Christmas, so it’s like we’re being penalised slightly.

“I understand the work has to go on, but why it couldn’t start earlier and they’re open for Christmas and then we’ve already organised where we’re going to be. But if the rent goes up and we’ve got smaller space, we can’t bring as much stock, we’re all going to be worse off.”

Robert Hutton, who runs the Retro Rob clothing stall, said: “Because they are reducing the size of the pitch, I lose five metres of rail space, and the pitch isn’t going down in price.

Robert Hutton (Image: Newsquest)“We can’t come forward, so we’re having to cut a lot of (clothing) rails.

“The market people are trying to do their best because they’re trying to make sure they’ve got some pitches, but the council are still charging them the same rates”.

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Picture seller Peter Horne said that he had been told that his stall would be unaffected. He told the Chronicle: “It won’t affect me at all. The scaffolding is going behind me as far as I know. It shouldn’t affect me at all.”

Peter Horne (Image: Newsquest)A spokesperson for Winchester City Council said: “We’ve been made aware of scaffolding in front of Debenhams. We know that stall holders are concerned about losing this location and so, officers have worked with the market manager to source gazebos which fit, so stalls can still be placed in this part of the market to try and minimise impact.”

The Debenhams building is owned by Surrey County Council.

It is being marketed by Covent Garden-based property agents AG&G which says the plan is for the three-storey 50,408 sq ft department store to be divided on the ground floor into three units of 2,848 sq ft, 3,188 sq ft and 2,948 sq ft.

Last year the predicted rent charges are £115,000 for unit 1; £125,000 for unit 2 and £120,000 for unit 3.

It is believed that at least part of the upstairs space could become a hotel. Travelodge is next door.