August 2024 - Former Debenhams Guildford, aerial video before demolition & redevelopment - DJI Air 3

[@TimSalter-lk4cc]

Fantastic as always Rob. This site will be brilliant when completed. We have our name down for Penthouse.

[@tomkent4656]

Do you mean the local council has approved a new building higher than this one?

[@martinwight8500]

Big old site that one mate : has planning been granted now? Must have been an early one never seen that road so empty!!

[@aviewthroughthelens]

It was an early one 6.30am :) No idea on planning I saw it on Surrey Live and thought I would get some footage quick before they start knocking it down.

[@IanHenderson-g9i]

Enjoyed the video. A few subtitles explaining a bit of history, why it was abandoned and what is proposed would be good for your demolition videos. I see that out of the 185 new apartments only 5 will be affordable - how developers managed to get away with such a low proportion in an area where affordable property presumably is scarce is a scandal.

[@Sophie_And_Wilson]

It was Debenhams store. They closed down and building went for sale. Sold to developer with intention to demolish and build flats. Quite sad really. I came to Guildford in 2005 and this was the one of first thing I’ve seen. Feeling emotional 😂

[@grahamdye3725]

Having been the General Manager of this store during the mid 1970's it is very sad to see it in such terrible condition. From its opening in the the late 1960's the store, Plummers, was the finest in the area and one of Debenhams most successful branches with high customer visit numbers by Guildford shoppers and from the wider catchment area. Unfortunately a series of atrocious decisions and lack of leadership from the company main Debenhams board this and over 100 other good branches were simply run into the ground until the inevitable administration came upon a bankrupt business. I understand the building could be turned into residential apartments which could well work in the location which whilst central to the town has modest outlook over the river, theatre etc. Let's hope new life is breathed into what was not an unattractive giant grand piano style!

[@thenullco]

Sadly, they're pulling it all down.

[@grahamdye3725]

@@thenullco Wow, is that right? What is the plan for the site?

[@thenullco]

@@grahamdye3725 It's going to be homes, retail, restaurants and public space. If you search Google Images for "St Mary's Wharf Guildford" you should see the proposed designs.

[@Sophie_And_Wilson]

@@grahamdye3725flats, affordable apparently 😅

[@ian7538]

What a shame to see it in it's current state. As an oldie I can remember when this was built, Plummer Roddis was a very posh company in those days. When Debenhams took it over it was a real challenge to A & N in Guildford and Aldershot. If you bought something in Debenhams you were in the same group as those that bought at Habitat or Maples. The three main shopping towns in the area were Guildford, Kingston and Aldershot. Woking was a load of small shops on the wrong side of the station, Dorking and Leatherhead were seen as grown up villages. How times change, we dont "shop" anymore in towns so it makes sense to convert everything to homes so everyone has somewhere to live.

[@peterjohnson1739]

I used to shop in both Kingston & Guildford. I agree it’s a shame that such an iconic store is now redundant. I now live relatively near Aldershot, i wouldn’t shop there as its shopping centre is so run down with many closures. On a positive note there is redevelopment going on in Aldershot. With luck it’ll improve.

[@ian7538]

@@peterjohnson1739 when the plummer roddis store opened Aldershot had about 6 major large stores to compete. I can remember my parents taking me with them for a days shopping there. Massive department stores plus loads of specialist smaller businesses. I have lived close to Aldershot for 40 years and seen its demise as a shopping destination as the Army reducing to a fraction, pedestrianisation and boring shopping malls killing the experience and the nail in the coffin is a combination of tacky takeaways, barber shops, lack of parking so you can just pop to shops and the ease of Internet shopping. Great shame, its now becoming a student dormitory town with large estates on the outskirts.