Southsea Debenhams: Drone pictures show demolition of Palmerston Road building as Handleys Corner development continues

As previously reported, the defunct Debenhams store in Palmerston Road has been empty since it closed for the final time in January 2020 after the brand collapsed into administration. Last year, a lack of progress from the building’s previous owners lead Portsmouth City Council to consider enacting a compulsory purchase order, with the cabinet stating it could “no longer tolerate land banking developers”.

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Since then, workers have been active at the site – known as Handleys Corner – and structures behind the street-facing portion of the building have been demolished. Striking pictures of the site – as seen from Tonbridge Street – show the building looking unrecognisable and parts have been reduced to rubble. Scaffolding has been erected on the building’s facade and the footpath between Palmerston Road and Tonbridge Street has been closed off.

Planning permission to redevelop the site was agreed in November 2021 and a business case has since also been approved for the relocation of Trafalgar Medical Group Practice to the new ground floor health centre.

NOW READ: Southsea Debenhams demolition: in pictures

Leader of Portsmouth City Council councillor Steve Pitt previously told The News that the progress was a “welcome” sign and “the outcome the council wanted”, adding that the proposed plans will give a much needed boost to footfall and retail in the area. He added that he hopes the finished development will still include the planned medical provision, as well as active frontages.

The News understands that St Cross Homes is involved in the site’s development, and the developers’ website displays concept art of the building, depicting flats, shopfronts and outdoor seating on the adjacent pavement area – with the caption “coming soon”.

St Cross Homes has been contacted for further information. Here are the latest pictures showing the current state of the former Southsea Debenhams: