The Pandemic Is Changing City Centers, And Britain’s Fabled Department Store Buildings Are At Risk

Of course, online shopping has done the most damage to physical stores. But do they need to be demolished? “Gems facing the wrecking ball include Birmingham’s mid-century Rackhams, which is currently home to House of Fraser, Debenhams in Taunton, which was built in 1938 and extended in the 1960s, and Marks & Spencer’s store near Marble Arch in London, which was completed in 1930. There are also concerns about the future of Aberdeen’s brutalist John Lewis, and Browns of Chester – most recently part of Debenhams – parts of which date back to the 12th century.” – The Observer (UK)