TRANSFORMATIONAL plans for the long closed Rackhams House of Fraser department store in Skipton have been lodged with North Yorkshire Council.

Proposals for the former store at 31 to 41 High Street, which has been empty since 2019, would see the grade two buildings refurbished and divided into four independent retail units.

Cosmetic changes will be made to the High Street facade, including the replacement of shop front windows and doors, and historic partitions inside will be preserved and retained. A new lift and staircases will be built inside.

The 1970s concrete-framed building at the back will be kept, re-clad in stone and a new pitched roof with gable ends will replace the current flat roof to 'better reflect the character of the area'. In addition, the car park - which in 2021 was subject to proposals by Skipton Civic Society to be made into a town square - will have a new layout to  improve its overall appearance.

In submissions with the planning application, DLG Architects, for Equorium Property Ltd,  says the plan is to 'reuse, refurbish and subdivide' the former department store building.

It says it has already met on site with representatives from North Yorkshire Council and Skipton Business Improvement District (BID) to show the current condition of the building and 'challenges associated with its refurbishment' and that the proposals were 'generally supported'.

"The proposal responds to the size of the building and lack of serious viable interest since the House of Fraser operations ceased in 2019," it is stated it submissions with the planning application to North Yorkshire Council.

The architects say plans consider the area and 'utilises the existing building' so it fits in with the area.

"The proposed development will provide protection for the building and site as a listed building and in a conservation area. A significant part of the project includes essential repairs which will bring the building back into good condition and ensure its longevity as a community asset for the years to come."

Plans for the rear of the store are aimed at capturing footfall by improving its appearance.

Submissions to the council state the rear was not designed as a primary entrance to the store and over the years has suffered from lack of maintenance.

"Although mature landscaping is usually a positive feature, in this case, it blocks the view of the entrance and the shop front at ground floor.

"The main car parks in the area are to the rear and north of the building accessed off Jerry Croft and Albion Yard, and shoppers tend to use these car parks and then look to find a route through to the High Street. One of the routes is to cut through the existing car park at the rear of the property.

"There is an opportunity to capture foot traffic passing through the improved car park and past the building by improving the appearance and visibility of the retail frontage."

As part of the proposals, existing gas-powered boilers will be replaced with electric, and the old mechanical plant will be removed and replaced with modern, high-efficiency ventilation and heating. 
Air source heat pumps will provide heating and cooling to retail areas and all existing lighting will be replaced by high efficiency LED.