A planning application has been granted for the redevelopment of the ground floor of the former Debenhams store in City Square shopping centre.
Permission was requested to subdivide the ground floor of Anchor Unit 2 into two individual retail units.
48 square metres of Off-Licence is also included in the plans, which were granted last week.
In a letter accompanying the application, Waterford Council said they would support the retail use of the ground floor.
The letter spoke of the Core Retail Shopping Area in Waterford which extends from the North Quays southwards, to include Barronstrand Street, Broad Street, John Roberts Square, Georges Street, Gladstone Street, Little Patrick Street, Patrick Street, Arundel Square, Conduit Lane, Exchange Street, Kiezer Street, Henrietta Street, New Street, Stephen Street, and Michael Street.
Dead Shop Frontage
It read: "In order to facilitate a multifunctional/flexible approach to the city centre as well as maintaining and strengthening the retail character of the core shopping centre, which can be adversely affected by dead frontage and lower-order retail uses, the retail core has been designated into Zone 1 and Zone 2 streets. As such, Council would support the retail use of the ground floor of the old Debenhams."
Unit 2 which houses Debenhams has been vacant since 2020 and the granted subdivision has been requested by the owners by way of a direct response to the 'market demand,' according to a letter accompanying the application.
In subdividing the large unit, it is the aim of the owners to allow for independent access to the existing escalators and stairs in a bid to reduce the current number of vacant units within the centre.
