PLANS to allow the Debenhams building in Bournemouth to be used for non-retail purposes have been approved.

BCP Council said the increased flexibility would make it more likely it will be filled and that the future of the site was “important to the economy of the town centre”.

The change of use class will now allow the building to be used by retail, food and drink, professional service, indoor sport, medical service and nursery businesses.

The council has still yet to decide on the separate planning for a rooftop bar, terraces and a wider revamp of the department store.

Sandstone Ltd and Verve Properties Ltd, which also own The Avenue shopping centre nearby, bought the building in 2019 for £8.5 million.

It is currently leased to Debenhams but last month the chain's administrators said a buyer could not be found for its physical stores and that they would all now close. Online fashion retailer Boohoo bought its online business in January.

Due to the uncertainty of the business at the time, in October the application for the change of use of the building was submitted.

It sought permission for the formal change of use to Class E, widening the type of businesses that can occupy it, while also facilitating its plans for a new tea lounge and bar.

This was approved earlier this week by council planning officer Steve Davies who said the move would help "keep this important building in active use”.

“Whilst the loss of the flagship retail use in the heart of the town centre is disappointing, the national retailing trends and the change to the use classes order indicates that there needs to be flexibility to keep this local landmark building in active use,” his report published on Monday said.

In an effort to ensure the building still has some traditional retail focus and did not become “a dead frontage”, a condition that the ground floor be restricted solely for this purpose has been included as part of planning permission.

Mr Davies added that the move could increase “late night activity” in the area, leading to noise problems for people living nearby.

But he said that, given its town centre location, opening hours could also be extended from 11pm to as late as 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to facilitate the potential for bars to open from the site.

A decision on the other planning application for the building is expected in the coming weeks.