Twentieth Century Society objects to Debenhams being demolished.

Don’t Demolish?

The Twentieth Century Society was founded in 1979 to support interest in C20th architecture and to complement the preservation work of the Victorian Society, which was founded in 1959.

The Twentieth Century Society has campaigned successfully to protect the buildings and design that characterise C20th Britain; and also promoting appreciation and importance of these buildings.  The Twentieth Century Society is engaged in casework on planning applications that relate to C20th architecture, they have a ewcognised statutory role in the planning system

The Twentieth Century Society has turned its attention recently where they are alarmed at an increasing numbers of well-designed C20 department stores coming up for demolition or unsympathetic alteration as more high street shops close in response to changing shopping habits and the pressure of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Twentieth Century Society has submitted applications to list a number of top-quality 20^th century department store buildings; and are objecting to the demolition of locally significant Debenhams stores in Taunton, Guildford and Nuneaton.

The Debenhams building, has always provoked strong reactions in Guildford both positive and negative, so it will be interesting to see the response to the Twentieth Century Society objections.