Why it matters: With dozens of abandoned retail spaces across the UK, Bristol has found a creative way to reinvigorate their high street.
Bristol's old Debenhams building has undergone a radical revamp — it's now a skatepark.
Now dubbed "Shredenhams," the once-iconic department store has swapped retail racks for ramps, thanks to Campus Skateboarding, the team behind Bristol's beloved Campus Pool and Park.
A hot pink "SHRED" sign now hangs over the old store logo as curious locals press their faces to the glass for a sneak peek.
Inside, you'll find: A full-blown skatepark, plus a bar, pool tables, dartboards and arcade machines.
What it costs: £10 gets visitors unlimited access to the space for the day, with the freedom to come and go as they please.
For context: Campus Skateboarding has a long history of revitalising unused spaces:
It all started in 2011 on a derelict college site
Campus Bedminster ran from 2011-2012
In 2012, they took over the previously council-run skatepark "Sub-Side"
The space became known as Campus Park after adaptations
In 2014, they started the Bishopsworth swimming pool revival project, known as Campus Pool
Campus Pool opened in 2015 with the help of Canvas
Meanwhile in Ipswich: The former Debenhams building has been vacant since 2021 and its owners, Unex, have been unable to secure a new tenant despite making improvements to the premises.
It shut after online fashion retailer Boohoo bought the brand and its website for £55m, but closed the 118 stores
The former Ipswich store sits within the four-storey Waterloo House building on Cornhill
It was built in 1975 with Debenhams' tenancy agreement starting on 8 August 1977
The bottom line: As empty department stores continue to plague UK high streets, Bristol's innovative approach raises the question: Could Ipswich's Debenhams find a new purpose as a community-focused venue rather than waiting for another retailer to fill the space?
