THE success of Bobby & Co in Bournemouth’s former Debenhams has been highlighted in a national report which says viable uses can be found for Britain’s department stores.

Developer Verve Properties brought back the store’s original name when it reopened the building last year with a host of attractions including shopping, an art gallery, a beauty parlour and a makers’ market.

A report called Departing Stores: Emporia At Risk, from the group Save Britain’s Heritage, says the art gallery attracted visitor numbers to rival London in its early months.

The report by Harriet Lloyd says the "varied mix of community-focused uses seems most faithful to the original department store".

It adds: “Verve have also displayed a keen sympathy for the building’s history: they have reinstated the Bobby’s name on the façade, removed the modern canopy and restored the copper domes. They also intend to repair original features such as the flagpoles, in a ‘rebirth and celebration of.. [the] original architectural style’.

“The building’s rejuvenation has already drawn visitors in their droves, proving that the appetite remains for considered offerings in attractive, unique spaces.”

It quotes developer Ashley Nicholson as saying: “We are utilising art and culture to bring people to town and increase cultural tourism.

“We bought the store with my shareholder. We paid circa £8million and will be spending that again on the works.”

Ken Mantock, chair of Bournemouth Civic Society, said: “With so many areas seeing major and much loved department shops closing its great to see the Save report.

“The report sets out the challenges being faced across the country in the retail sector and the impacts on town centres' attractiveness and character with so many shops closing.

“Importantly it shows with imagination, flair and a positive approach to considering new uses, great opportunities exist to re-use landmark department stores.

“The fact that Bobby’s is included in the report brings welcome wider attention to this much praised restoration and regeneration project that has rescued and transformed this historic Bournemouth landmark.

“We look forward to further transformation like this in Bournemouth town centre, especially along Old Christchurch Road which is suffering with the closure of Beales and House of Fraser and many smaller shops.

“We congratulate everyone involved with the Bobby’s success.”

The report also highlights the challenge presented by Bournemouth’s House of Fraser building, opened by Frederick Bright’s as a haberdashery in 1871.

“It is a bold and expressive building amidst its Victorian neighbours,” the report says.

“However, the structure is in a state of considerable neglect, with leaks and crumbling walls inside and plant growth and rusting casement windows detracting from the outside.”

House of Fraser closed in March this year and there has been no announcement about the future use of the building.