First look revealed at landmark regeneration of former department store site
The first drone imagery and on-site progress of a major regeneration scheme in Northampton town centre have been unveiled, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of the former Marks & Spencer and BHS sites along Abington Street.
As the landowner, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) bought the buildings on the site and, with grant funding, demolished them to prepare the area for redevelopment.
Social impact developer Capital&Centric is working in partnership with WNC to bring the site back into use, following the careful clearance of the long-vacant retail blocks. With the buildings now removed, the full scale of the opportunity to deliver new homes, green spaces and lively ground-floor uses in the heart of the High Street is visible for the first time.
The site, which has remained empty since the national closure of BHS in 2016 and the departure of Marks & Spencer, is set to be reimagined as a new town centre neighbourhood. Early proposals include hundreds of new homes, space for independent cafés, bars and restaurants at ground level, and new planting and public areas opening directly onto the High Street.
As part of the works, Capital&Centric will reuse materials from the former buildings to create a series of stepped plateaus across the site. These will help shape potential new public squares, pocket parks and social areas, supporting the developer’s low carbon approach while adding character to the future neighbourhood.
The regeneration forms a key part of the wider programme to revitalise Northampton town centre, aiming to attract more people to live, spend time and enjoy local businesses in a greener, more vibrant environment.
John Moffat, Joint Managing Director at Capital&Centric, said:
“We’re buzzing with how this is shaping up. You can finally see the size of the opportunity now the old buildings are down. We’re looking forward to sharing some early thoughts on what this could become. High streets have got to change. Town centres need to evolve. That means taking empty retail boxes and turning them into places where people can live, eat, drink and actually spend time. That’s the future.”
Cllr James Petter, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at West Northamptonshire Council, said:
“It’s encouraging to see such real and visible progress on this landmark site. The clearance works give a true sense of the scale and ambition for what can be achieved here. Transforming these former department stores into a welcoming, outward-looking neighbourhood will help strengthen our town centre, support local businesses and create new places for people to live, meet and relax. We look forward to residents having the chance to help shape the next stage of these plans.”
Capital&Centric, known nationally for its socially impactful regeneration projects and highly energy efficient homes, has confirmed that a public consultation will take place shortly after Easter. Full details, including dates and how to take part, will be shared in the coming weeks.
Local residents, businesses and stakeholders will be invited to view early concepts, provide feedback and help influence the future design of the site.
With the true footprint of the space now visible, the next chapter for this prominent part of Northampton’s High Street is beginning to take shape.
