The former Debenhams department store in Bristol has been left vacant since 2021 and is set to be demolished for 500 new apartments. However, before the building vanishes from Broadmead, it could be set to become an “urban sports centre”.
In a premises licence application submitted to Bristol City Council, the applicant, DEA BAR Ltd, has submitted a plan for sporting facilities to be included on the lower ground floor of the iconic building, where access is through the entrance on the Horsefair. DEA BAR Ltd, the team behind the Dame in Bedminster, submitted the application on Friday, November 22.
The application stated that the “urban sports centre” would include a skate park, roller derby rink and basketball courts designed for three on three play. Various games including pool, table tennis and table football will also be available.
In addition to the facilities, the former Debenhams will house a bar and café that will serve a range of food and drink options. Despite the number of sporting facilities, the upper floors of the complex will remain vacant.
The proposed opening hours of the sports centre would be from 8am to 11pm Monday through to Sunday. Alcohol would be served from 12pm to 10.30pm, indoor sporting events would take place from 10am to 11pm and recorded music from 8am to 11pm everyday.
The application for the premises licence is also a temporary application which raises doubt as to when the Debenhams building will shut down. The application, if granted, would be valid until the end of the day on January 30, 2028. Both The Dame and the developers of the 502 flats have been contacted for comment.
The former department store will be demolished to make way for several buildings, the tallest being 28 storeys high, which will house 502 flats and 100 of which will be “affordable”. The plans, approved in April, proved controversial as more than 100 people objected to the plans.
Anyone who lives near the former Debenhams, or is involved in a business, can make a comment to the Licensing Authority. The deadline for comments is December 24.
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