Former Debenhams to become lab space in £125m plan

A £125m project to use a former Debenhams store as lab space in Oxford city centre has been approved.

The Crown Estate is a partner in the plan renovate the store, at the junction of Magdalen Street and George Street, which closed in 2021.

It got planning permission for the project last month and said work is set to start on it in the first half of 2027, with completion planned for 2029.

Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) and Pioneer Group are also partners in the scheme, which will include a STEM outreach programme, working alongside Oxford City Council.

Kristy Lansdown, The Crown Estate's managing director for development, said: "1-12 Magdalen Street will deliver world class science facilities in the heart of the city – a place with not only a rich cultural history, but one that is entrenched in the history of science and progress.

"Alongside our outstanding partners at Pioneer Group and OSE, we are committed to creating a best-in-class lab space for innovative start-ups and scale-ups that will strengthen Oxford's appeal to the wider sector and contribute meaningfully to economic growth."

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