WINCHESTER civic chiefs will not let Debenhams become a blight on the High Street.

The large High Street department store closed for good in May but a committee heard that the city council is keen to bring it into use if it is not let.

An indoor market on the ground floor has been widely suggested and was again raised at the business and housing policy committee.

Cllr Charles Radcliffe said: “It’s great to see the High Street buzzing again. It was a beginning to look a bit sad a few months ago and to see the shops reopening.

“There is enormous community interest in what happens to Debenhams. It has left a big hole at the bottom of the High Street. Could the city council be more pro-active?. The idea of an indoor food market could be terrific, providing flexible, affordable space for local businesses, farmers and food producers.

"The council could offer to pay the fit-out costs. It could be a boon for the local economy and an asset for the city."

Sue Robbins, corporate head of engagement, said the council's estates team was talking to the owners of the Debenhams building, Surrey County Council, and looking at proposing short-term uses to stop it being vacant.

Cllr Martin Tod, portfolio holder for economic recovery, told the committee: "We do want to be visionary. We have no interest in Debenhams staying empty in the short or the long term and are keen to keep that area active.

"We want to make sure Debenhams doesn't stand empty and become a blight on the High Street. We believe we can do much better than that."

He asked if there is enough demand for an indoor market to fill the large space that is Debenhams ground floor and asked do people want indoor or outdoor markets? Would it be better to let the outdoor market grow organically as at the moment? he said.

Ms Robbins told the committee that a High Street Plan had been drawn up for the year 2021-22 to get footfall and shop occupancy rates back to pre-pandemic levels.

The aim is to support businesses and find innovative ways of attracting people back to the High Street after the heavy blow of the Covid pandemic.

A £110,000 Government grant from its Welcome Back Fund had helped with a ‘Shop Local, Love local’ campaign.

One issue is that more people are working from home so there are fewer people working in the city centre.