Ticking off a major manifesto pledge, Mayor Tom Wootton and his Conservative team have officially completed a game changing purchase of the historic former Debenhams store.  

Taking control of such a key asset at the heart of the town represents a significant strategic move for the Conservative administration and marks the beginning of a bold new vision for our town centre.

The much needed and long overdue investment reflects the Mayor’s commitment to reversing a decade of decline as the Council continues to prioritise investment in our town and it sends a clear message to businesses and customers that Bedford is open for business.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton commented:

“I'm over the moon to have completed the purchase of the Debenhams building. This is why I was elected - to get things done for our town, our Borough and our people. This is bold, this is ambitious, and it's going to change our town centre for the better not just for years, not just decades, but generations to come. My vision is for a town centre renaissance.

I’ve said for a long time that Bedford’s best days are yet to come - this is one of those days and a major step forward.”

Conservative Group Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finances, Councillor Graeme Coombes added:

“This shows why the people of Bedford elected a 'doer' not a 'ducker'. Mayor Tom Wootton has grasped the nettle and decided to act, where his predecessor dithered and allowed our town fall into decline. This is a major decision, requiring significant investment, but there was both a business case and moral case for purchasing a key piece of our town centre infrastructure. Now the Mayor will bring it back into use and start to reverse the years of neglect, and make our town something to be proud of."

Councillor Andrea Spice, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Planning and Prosperity, added:

“We acknowledge the challenges faced by traditional retail spaces.

Our goal is to reimagine the town centre, offering a range of amenities and experiences, including retail, hospitality, community services, and cultural and residential spaces. We look forward to working with partners to attract new tenants.”