Urban Outfitters could be opening its first store in Chester city centre.

The Martin Property Group has submitted plans to Cheshire West and Chester Council to renovate part of the Grade II-listed building at 36 and 38 Eastgate Street and 38 and 40 Eastgate Row.

According to the planning documents, the works are relatively modest "landlord works" intended to bring the space back into an occupiable condition ahead of a separate fit-out by Urban Outfitters.

Plans would see the basement, Row-level ground floor and first floor turned into a self-contained three-storey retail unit, with direct access from the Rows.

Several historic features would be retained, including the existing staircase, first-floor panelled and glazed barrel-vaulted ceiling and historic cornicing.

A new entrance would be reinstated on the Row-level shopfront, allowing the unit to operate independently, rather than relying on access through neighbouring parts of the former department store.

Proposals also include removing the vinyl currently covering the shopfront glazing at basement level, reopening views into the building, and repainting the shopfront framing.

The design and access statement said: "The works are minor in nature and would not cause harm to or the loss of historic fabric.

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"There would be no harm to significance, whilst elements of the works would bring a slight enhancement of the significance and special interest."

The building was historically operated as part of Browns of Chester. Browns closed in the 1970s before the site was acquired by Debenhams in 1976, when the department store expanded across the historic buildings.

Martin Property Group subsequently acquired the site following the collapse of Debenhams in 2020, with much of the Row-level space in the centre and west buildings reopening as H Beauty by Harrods in February 2026.

The applicant also said the changes would help facilitate the "beneficial and optimum viable use" of the building as a retail unit.

If approved, the works would prepare the premises for future occupation by Urban Outfitters, with the detailed shop fit-out to be considered as part of a separate application.

You can find the full application here.