As the deal to sell the home of Dunstable’s much-loved department store Moore’s was finalised last week, its new owners revealed plans to keep the building true to its retail roots.
The new owners of the High Street South building are a property management company based in North London, but they did not want to be named publicly.
A spokesman for the company told the Gazette: “We are going to improve the property and bring it back into use.
“Our intentions will be to have a retail frontage with residential opportunities upstairs.”
As reported by the Gazette at the time, contracts were signed and exchanged in August, but commercial letting agency Alexander & Co, of High Street South, Dunstable, made an official announcement last Monday (October 1).
Moore’s was opened by Charles Moore in 1908 and remained a shopping favourite in the town until its closure in 2008 following the death of Pauline Keen shortly after her father, Fred Moore, died.
Central Beds councillor Nigel Young said: “I think it is systematic of the way the high street is picking up.
“It’s not a town with every shop vacant like everyone says on Facebook.
“There are only a few vacant units and three are opposite the Moore’s site. They will now be more attractive retail opportunities.
“When people say that Dunstable High Street is dying they’re wrong, it’s not. It’s thriving.
“The High Street, with Moore’s, is nearly full. It’s good isn’t it?”
At this stage it is unclear whether the new owners already have a client in place to take over the retail opportunity. The spokesman added: “It is early days yet.”