Harrods is seeking to take over the former Debenhams on Eastgate Street, turning it into a luxury 'H-Beauty' store. 

The former Browns department store building was vacated three years ago, after the Debenhams franchise collapsed. 

In the application submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council, it said: "The site is the former Browns of Chester, an iconic store in the north-west. 

"Its occupation by the internationally recognised brand of Harrods to continue the celebrated tradition of this site is extremely exciting.

The historic Eastgate Street building has been vacant since it shut its doors for the last time in May 2021 (Nub News)

"The H-Beauty stores of Harrods offer luxury Beauty products, treatments and educational workshops for skincare, make-up, fragrance and hairstyling categories."

The Martin Property Group, an Irish family-owned business, bought the property just over two years ago. It is valued at £4 million. 

The ambition is that the stores 'become part of the communities they serve', alongside bringing 70 new jobs to Chester city centre. 

Launched in September 2020, the stores have had a steady distribution growth nationally with successful presence in Essex, Milton Keynes, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Bristol. 

The design and access statement said: "H Beauty is uniquely placed to be the 'go-to, luxury beauty destination' for local shoppers. 

The proposed design for the Eastgate Street facade (Image via: Planning application)

"This is thanks to a combination of elevated customer service, fantastic in-store experiences including beauty services (drybar, Townhouse and facials at the Skincare Stations), inspiration through Beauty Events, a Champagne Bar and a world class brand mix and perks through the MyBeauty programme."

The site is located in the internationally important Chester City Conservation Area, at the historic first-floor level walkways of the Rows, and in sight of the famous Eastgate Clock. 

The building has now been identified by Historic England to be one of the most threatened building types in the country. 

The H-Beauty brand is characterised by a soft and textural colour palette, with pink and champagne tones, 'contrasted with the heritage Harrods green colour and enhanced with accents of vibrant hot pink signage and neon effect led lighting.'

The H-Beauty stores of Harrods offers luxury beauty products, treatments and educational workshops (Image via: Planning application)

The report read: "This design identity has made H-Beauty a highly recognised and praised brand in its own right, engaging the trade of world-famous hyper-luxury brands within its offer. 

"The proposed works focus on showcasing the building and manifesting the brand as appropriate to the dominant architecture and in line with the Chester Rows Design Guide."

You can access and comment on the planning application here.