Huge plans to convert House of Fraser in Bournemouth town centre

Plans are in place to redevelop the disused House of Fraser department store in Old Christchurch Road, along with Belfast House and Gervis Hall in Gervis Place. 

Property developers Carve Developments is proposing converting the existing building into a mixed-use scheme consisting of 10 business units and a night club with student accommodation consisting of 129 rooms. 

The scheme, which would not have any “significant external additions” to the listed building, will have a mix of small and big shops spread across the basement, lower ground and upper floors. 

CGI of the proposal (Image: Shore Architects/Carve Developments)

A nightclub is being proposed to the rear of the building, accessed by Gervis Place and located two floors below the street level to “significantly reduce noise levels”. 

The upper ground to fourth floors are proposed to be converted into 129 rooms for students with kitchens and en-suites. 

The applicants said in a design and access statement: “The building has also been carefully designed to provide access to a range of shared facilities, including private and group study spaces, cinema rooms, a gym, common room and music room. 

CGI of a common room (Image: Carve Developments)

“These will be spread over each floor to ensure they are accessible to all within the accommodation. 

“It is acknowledged that this would result in a significant amount of alterations and potential harm to the listed building if the design of this was not carefully considered.

Read more: House of Fraser to close its Bournemouth store

“Therefore, the student spaces will be designed as ‘pods’ that lie above the existing floors, and fake ceilings would be installed that would be lower than the original ceilings which are still in situ.” 

CGI (Image: Shore Architects/Carve Developments)

Images in documents submitted to BCP Council show rooms left in left in poor condition with “severe mould and damp issues” as well as rusting windows, ceilings falling down and a decagon window in a “neglected state”. 

Read more: Objections to plans to convert Beales department store in Bournemouth

House of Fraser was the town’s last big department store when it closed in March 2022. The town had lost Beales in 2020 and Debenhams in 2021. 

The shop was the oldest of Bournemouth’s department stores, having been founded in 1871. 

Bedroom (Image: Shore Architects/Carve Developments)

The store began life as Bright’s of Bournemouth, when Frederick Bright opened a shop selling needlework and wool in the Arcade.  

He expanded the business into neighbouring shops and then an adjacent building. 

It was bought by JJ Allen and then House of Fraser, which branded it as Dingles. It took the House of Fraser name in 2007.