Historic retail name makes a return to Bournemouth
The former Debenhams store in the Square is to revert to its original name.
A historic retail name is making a comeback in Bournemouth.
The former Debenhams building is going to be called Bobby's, almost 50 years since the name disappeared from the department store.
The building is going to be restored with plans for new balconies and a roof terrace bar.
Debenhams closes for good on Wednesday.
Bobby & Co opened in the Square in 1915 and remained under that name for over 50 years, only being rebranded in 1972 as part of the Debenhams group that is now departing the building.
Plans are in place for the first parts of the store to reopen in July with more elements opening through the year and into 2022.
First to open will be Bobby’s beauty hall, a traditional ice cream and coffee parlour, an art gallery and a dog café in the Lower Gardens.
There will also be a sushi and plant-based Poke Bowl Bar, a nail bar, treatment rooms female and male grooming.
The watch repairing station ‘In Time’ will be retained.
On the first floor the large windows overlooking the Square will be opened up, new balconies installed, and the floor will house a food and market hall.
This will include street food outlets including plant-based food, a deli, a bar and speciality retail market pods.
Spa facilities are in the planning stages and are set to open in 2022.
The second floor will house an art gallery with more details to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Accessed from Terrace Road, old buildings at the rear will be reorganised to create a garden area and a micro-brewery, craft ale smokery bar.
Plans are in place to open a 4th floor restaurant and bar and roof terrace bar.
A special collaboration with Bournemouth artist Stuart Semple, which will involve memories of the town, is also being planned.
Ashley Nicholson, director of Verve Properties said: "Bobby’s has historically always been at the heart of the town centre and the community.
"When we started our research into the history, we kept unearthing how bedded into the community the building was.
"We also found much of the architectural detail had survived but was covered up - so we took inspiration from that and have sought to restore what we can to bring back the grandeur of this iconic building, whilst the same time introducing some modernity to make it fitting for today.
"The copper domes will be repaired, the flagpoles reinstated, the 1970s canopy removed and replaced by the original design.
"The 1933 front entrance designs will be reinstated and there'll be new ornate first floor balconies to match the others installed.
"If shoppers are going to be tempted back into town centres, then retailers need to value three key elements in any new structure and design.
"The first is to consider what kind of shopping experience people will still want to happen in real life - beauty, clothing and footwear are good examples of retail that people want to try out in person.
"The second element should focus on how to make the shopping experience a fun and enjoyable one.
"The third should be to remember that ultimately town centres are there to serve the local community.
"It will take time to deliver Bobby’s back to its former glory, the building has suffered a lack of investment over many years, but with the patience and support of the community this project can play can be a significant role in the re-imagining of the town centre in a post Covid world.
"Regeneration is vital, but gentrification that alienates a community is the opposite of what new retail projects should be aiming for.
"We are therefore very excited to be able to bring this ethos to our plans for Bobby’s bringing back the glamour and the style of the original Bobby’s from the early 20th Century."