Timeline of work at Artisan Food Hall at Debenhams

The former Debenhams store was supposed to open as a food hall in 2021, but there is still uncertainty surrounding the future of the site.

January 13 2021 - Debenhams closes

In January 2021, it was confirmed that the former Debenhams store is one of a number to be closed permanently following the coronavirus lockdown.

The company started a liquidation process in December 2020 after failing to secure a last-minute rescue sale.

April 16 2021 - Confirmation of Food Hall plans

In April 2021, it was confirmed that the former Debenhams site in Worcester was set to undergo a major nine-month transformation.

The new development teased a a location for dining, organic grocery, retail food, music and culture.

February 21 2022 - Partial opening

Artisan Food Hall Worcester revealed it hoped to open the ground floor and basement of the former department store by April or May 2021.

It was also revealed at the time that the four-floor landmark building was set to include live music, a farmers' market, and vintage clothing stalls.

The entire site was expected to open in June 2022.

READ MORE: Plans and when food hall will open in old Debenhams store

April 20 2022 - No signs yet

Despite teasing the ground floor and basement to open in either April or May, two thirds of the way into April there was still no sign of an opening.

Contractors could be seen working inside the former department store at the time.

Despite contact attempts from the Worcester News, no further information was discovered.

June 3 2022 - New bar tease

The Zinc Bar in Artisan Food Hall Worcester. (Image: Artisan Food Hall Worcester)

A new picture was posted on the Artisan Food Hall Instagram account teasing a bar that has been coined as the "LiteBar" or "Zinc Bar".

The caption of the picture teased "it’s close folks", with the opening date still a mystery.   

The Instagram account primarily featured many images from the branch in Hull.

September 15 2022 -Readers asking questions

There was still no sign of any opening at the site and work had not been seen taking place for a long time.

Readers were questioning when the doors will finally open after the promises of farmers market-style stalls, food outlets and bars. 

A Worcester News journalist visited the city centre but could not see any work being carried out at the site.

February 11 2023 - What is happening?

The reason behind delays to transform the former Debenhams into a food hall were revealed.

Artisan Food Hall warned the delay has left "100 jobs and 50 contractors work" at risk - but are still hopeful for a spring opening.

The company claimed work on the High Street site had ground to a halt because the building owners had not made a final payment for the work.

The building owner was confirmed as an overseas offshore investor managed by a London agent.

Artisan Food Hall had been unable to contact it and Worcester News was also unable to contact the investor.

READ MORE: Delays in transforming Debenhams into artisan food hall

April 5 2023 - New Details Emerge

Earlier this week, it emerged that Hammonds of Hull closed suddenly with no notice last month.

It was reported by Local Democracy Reporter for the area, Joseph Gerrard, that Hammonds of Hull was forced out of the space it rented from an offshore company which owns the building, according to Artisan.

He reported Artisan is now looking at legal action.

And another food hall dubbed 20 London Road in Northwich, Cheshire, is also yet to come to fruition despite plans to originally open in 2021.