Plans for the refurbishment of the former BHS store in Stockport town centre have taken a step forward after councillors approved the appointment of contractors for the scheme.
Robertson Construction have been appointed to complete the work on revamping the store, which the council purchased in 2019 in order to invest in the building as part of its £1 billion regeneration plans for the town centre.
Proposals for the store, approved by Stockport Council late in 2022, will see the large site split into four smaller units – two at street level, one on the first floor, and one basement unit. A new modern frontage will also be added to the building in Merseyway, while the wall art on the side of the site will be retained.
Work to improve the appearance of the former BHS store is part of plans to improve the condition of the Merseyway shopping centre and attract shoppers back into the high street. Council documents presented to the borough’s Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee revealed that lease agreements with retailers were already in place for the two ground floor units that would bring new ‘anchor tenants’ to the shopping precinct.
Work began in October 2022 on removing asbestos from the building, and is due to complete in March 2023 when refurbishment of the store can begin.
Bringing the BHS store back into use is a part of Stockport Council’s long-term regeneration plans for Merseyway and the wider town centre. Work is underway to repurpose a number of units in the shopping centre for new uses, including the development of the Stockroom library, community and education centre and the delivery of a new hub for start-ups and small businesses, the Merseyway Innovation Centre.
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