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

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

Proposals to refurbish the Row level of the premises were given the green light, despite concerns regarding the 'concealment' of historic features, such as hexagonal ceiling panels.

A council report highlighted the 'clear and convincing' public benefit of the project, stating it 'outweighs' the harm relating to the heritage asset.

It added: "It is also acknowledged that there would be economic incentives to the city by hosting an international brand which could act as a retail anchor to support key economic regeneration objectives.

"The concealing of the remains of the historic ceiling features is regrettable, but in this case acceptable given the justification provided to satisfy fire safety regulations and as required to upgrade the mechanical and electrical equipment."

Pointing to the condition of the site, the report emphasised the current interior of the building, with its historic decorative features 'lost' at large.

It said: "Internally, the Row level has historically been the prime retailing floorspace. 

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

"Consequently, the buildings have been much altered at this floor, owing to many retail refurbishments and re-fittings throughout its history. 

"The present day interiors consist largely of extensive, dated shop fittings, wall linings and suspended ceilings which have little architectural coherence and detract and blight the appearance at this level."

Approved works now include external repairs to both buildings, such as re-painting the render on the Georgian fronted building.

Its decorative pillars will also be removed, 'to reflect the new occupier's branding'.

Internal historic features, including ceiling roundels and staircases, will be concealed, 'for fire safety reasons' as part of the internal re-fit.

Suspended ceilings are proposed across the site, alongside internal partitions, to create boutique spaces for other brands.

The council's report mentioned a supplementary statement to the HIA, which stated there is no longer any evidence of two hexagonal ceiling panels referred to in the listing description and in the representations received.

The report added: "It would seem that they have been lost during refurbishments undertaken by the former occupier since the year 2000 when they were last indicated on a plan. 

"A third party has raised doubt over the loss of the hexagonal ceiling panels despite the findings of the supplementary statement.

The building has now been identified by Historic England to be one of the most threatened building types in the country (Nub News)

"With respect to the concerns received, a condition is proposed requiring that should any historic features be discovered during the works not already described in the HIA, these features are to be retained in situ, recorded and the HIA updated with the evidence."

The Martin Property Group, an Irish family-owned business, bought the property just over two years ago, 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 original application, submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council, 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 H-Beauty stores of Harrods offer luxury Beauty products, treatments and educational workshops for skincare, make-up, fragrance and hairstyling categories.

The H-Beauty stores of Harrods offers luxury beauty products, treatments and educational workshops (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 design and access statement 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."

See the planning application here.