News
31st May 2022
Celebrating 75 Years – 1960s Case Study
Debenhams was formed in 1778 by William Clark, as a draper’s store in Wigmore Street, London. In 1813, William Debenham became a partner and the name changed to Clark & Debenham. As trade grew, they expanded the business by opening branches in Cheltenham and Harrogate and continued to grow from the acquisition of department stores in towns and cities across the UK. The company was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1928, shortly after purchasing the Drapery Trust. In 1976 the company acquired Browns of Chester, then diversified during the 1970s buying Cater Brothers in 1972. Debenhams modernised its 40 instore food halls, branding them Cater’s Food Halls, and opening two new Cater superstores. At the height of trading, they had 178 locations in three countries, but unfortunately, due to financial difficulties after 243 years of trading, Debenhams was forced to finally close its doors in May 2021.
Perega started working with Debenhams in the 1960’s and was their structural engineering partner for over 50 years, responsible for the design of many of their larger stores across the country. Over the last 15 years, Perega assisted them with everything from minor structural maintenance issues to major alterations and adaptions of the stores. This included repositioning escalators and stairs, column removal, façade replacements and extensions, as well as surveys and designs for sections of the stores to become gymnasiums, residential areas, restaurants and coffee shops.
Guildford, Surrey: A prime example of 1960’s architecture positioned on St Mary’s Quay on the River Wey, the site of a former timber yard. Originally constructed and opened in 1968 as a Plummers, they were acquired by Debenhams during the construction. This five-storey building was constructed using a steel frame with large, piled foundations that went below the waterline. In its 50 years on the riverside site, the store fell victim to numerous floodings. The worst was in 1968, when Debenhams effectively became an island, there were valuable electronic tills in the swamped basement which could be restored if rescued quickly, so a diving team from R.N.Gosport were called in to assist.
Perega was the structural and civil engineering consultant for the original construction and also carried out the structural redesign when the store underwent significant refurbishment in 1999 to modernise the building as well as reorganise and enlarge the sales areas. The redesign included the addition of a new glazed entrance with a piazza running along the front of the store, redesign of the riverside café area and the addition of new escalators and lifts.
Oxford Street, London: During the 1980’s this major store in the heart of London’s premier shopping street was redeveloped in four phases over a period of ten years. This was done to allow Debenhams to continue trading throughout the refurbishment. The works included the demolition of a large area in the centre of the building to form an atrium with a glazed dome which brought natural light into the store. At one point in the redevelopment works, an existing steel column carrying 500 tonnes was temporarily supported whilst a new foundation was installed.
Back in the store in 2013, Perega once again provided structural engineering consultancy for an internal and external makeover. This time, the works involved the addition of two new floors, new escalators, infilling part of the atrium and widening walkways, to give 20,000 sq. ft. of extra sales space, the addition of 20 new windows on the Marylebone Lane elevation, a new 25-metre skylight in the atrium, two glass columns on the Oxford Street corners and a new brushed aluminium panel façade which flowed in the breeze.
Exeter, Devon: Following the complete destruction of the London Inn Square/Eastgate area of Exeter during a bombing raid in 1942, a town planner was commissioned to formulate plans to rebuild the damaged city. So, in 1962 work began on a new flagship store for Bobby’s, a subsidiary of Debenhams, with over 120,000 m2 of retail space housed within three areas of building, with the tallest being seven storeys. A special design feature was the top floor restaurant which had a 50 ft. long window giving views across to the Haldon Hills. In 1972 the store was rebranded to Debenhams.
Perega was responsible for the structural design and specification of the original building which utilised in-situ concrete encased structural steel with reinforced concrete floors. The single storey front section of the building was designed for future expansion. As well as numerous small refurbishments over the years, in 1998 we were approached by Debenhams to develop the design for the additional floors to the low-level section of the building. Unfortunately, due to reduced trading, Debenhams decided to relocate premises in 2007 but John Lewis took up the extension plans and moved in, following a major refurbishment, in 2010.
Please visit our “Retail Sector” section for more information on how Perega can help retail businesses optimise space and maximise footfall.