Landsec has secured planning permission from Cardiff Council to transform a former Debenhams department store into what it has dubbed a 102K SF city square.

It will include two new restaurants with terraces, a terrace of street food kiosks with seating for 250 people, a retractable roof and enclosure, and smaller kiosk-style units.

A large-format leisure space will front the new square, including a family play space with a water fountain splash pad, space to host free events and entertainment, plus landscaping with new planting to increase biodiversity.

Demolition of the Debenhams is underway, and Landsec said that it aims to open the new space by summer 2026.

"The city square project underscores our commitment to creating exceptional experiences for our visitors which, in turn, provides a robust platform for our brand partners to grow," Landsec Managing Director for Retail Bruce Findlay said in a statement.

"Our plans will transform a former failing department store into a new public space, equivalent to almost one and a half football pitches, incorporating nature, play and leisure," he added. "This will replace the 1970s concrete buildings and provide a compelling all-day destination with new hospitality and leisure experiences for the local community and visitors to Cardiff city centre."

In late 2024, fashion retailer Pull&Bear, womenswear brand Sosandar and Danish homeware brand Søstrene Grene all opened their first Welsh stores at St David’s. Sportswear retailer JD Sports will also be opening a 32K SF new store later this year.

In December, Landsec acquired a 92% stake in shopping centre Liverpool One from a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Grosvenor for a sum of £490M.

The acquisition was in line with Landsec’s stated objective to grow its investment in major retail destinations, recycling the proceeds from its £464M of noncore sales earlier in the year, the company said.

Following that deal, Landsec owns seven of the top 30 shopping centres in the UK, and in its most recent results, it said its retail portfolio was 96% occupied.