Major update on future for House of Fraser building in Chichester as planning application submitted

Having owned the West Street store since the 1970s, the company confirmed its plan to close in October 2018, following months of uncertainty. The building has been empty since January 2019.

A Grade II Listed building, the long-term future of the site has been uncertain and previous attempts to use it have seemingly fallen through. Bought by Interceptor Opportunities Ltd not long after the initial closure, the site has been marketed for residential, mixed use and business developments in the years since but so far no plans have made it past the initial stages.

In August, the Cordage Group launched a public consultation proposing to transform the building into four commercial units and a series of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. ‘Modern, unattractive outbuildings’ may also be removed if the plans go ahead.

Cordage Group planning director Jake Russell has been leading the proposed redevelopment of the site since 2024.

He said: “Following over 18 months of dedicated work, extensive consultation, and detailed design development, our team is pleased to announce the submission of a full planning application for the redevelopment of the former House of Fraser site. This application will see four smaller, more manageable commercial units, two townhouses and 87 apartments."

Mr Russell essentially ruled out the idea of a hotel.

This comes after a Chichester organisation sought public feedback on a proposal to create a community-owned hotel in the building – with profits intended to support local creative industries.

The Chichester Creative Partnership’s founder, Ben Williams, said the idea was at a very early stage and aimed to gauge interest before moving forward.

“From the outset, our priority has been to bring forward a deliverable scheme shaped by community input and grounded in the real needs of Chichester,” Mr Russell said.

"During our comprehensive canvassing and public consultation, we found no local or commercial appetite for a hotel on the site.

"While suggestions for hotel use were raised by a small number of individuals, these ideas did not reflect the wider community’s views, nor the market reality. The submitted application therefore focuses on uses that are both viable and beneficial for the city.”

Mr Williams, a patent attorney, had hoped the developer would be ‘open to suggestions’ of a hotel. He said the proposed model would be ‘similar to the one that gave us’ the Chichester Festival Theatre – and ‘other inspiring community projects around the world’.

He added: "I want to support the creative industries because I don’t think they’re getting enough recognition. I want to create something with global significance.”

Responding to news of the planning application, Mr Williams said: “It seems a shame to lose it from commercial to residential myself. I'd be sad to see that happen.

“I don’t want to give up on the idea and would be interested on hearing people’s thoughts. I don't know if there might be a possibility of some kind of hybrid scheme, where some of the units were put to one side to be owned by the community for the benefit of the creative industries.”

In his statement, Mr Russell said the Cordage Group’s ‘proposed scheme’ brings ‘significant benefits’ to Chichester, including:

– Restoration of Grade II listed buildings and ‘preservation of important heritage assets’;

– Creation of new homes in a sustainable city centre location;

– Delivery of high‑quality commercial units to ‘reinvigorate West Street’ and ‘boost local business activity;

– Regeneration of a ‘long-vacant brownfield site’, helping ‘reduce pressure’ on surrounding greenfield land;

– ‘Improved public realm’ and a ‘safer, more vibrant’ city centre environment;

– ‘Substantial local economic benefits’ during construction and long-term occupation.

He added: “This application represents a realistic, community-led, and heritage‑sensitive vision, designed to breathe new life into one of Chichester’s most important landmark sites.

“We look forward to continuing our work with local residents, stakeholders, and the planning authority as the proposal progresses.”