A RANGE of ideas for repurposing the vacant Debenhams building in Southend High Street have been suggested by Echo readers including a police station, a Ninja Warrior course, and a Dunelm store.

Debenhams, in the Royals Shopping Centre in the High Street, closed its doors for the final time in May 2021 following the collapse of the department store.

This time last year a plan was unveiled to turn it into a new bustling home for small businesses to flourish and grow.

However, just months after the exciting new plans were announced the plug was pulled on the project.

More than three years on from Debenhams closing, the huge shop facing onto the High Street remains empty with no plan revealed for its future.

However, Echo Facebook users have taken to the platform to share their vision for what could replace it.

Philip Carrington said: "A police station so we can have a better police presence to deter the dreadful crime that impacts the city centre."

The idea of creating a fun environment for children was also put forward.

Samantha Lindoe said: "I think something fun for the kids.

"Maybe one floor roller skate park, one floor laser tag or something similar, and then one floor like a ninja warrior course or soft play but a really cool one, a bit different to all the standard ones around."

Harry Ritchie added: "Indoor golf, rock climbing, just anything for kids to have fun."

Among other suggestions were calls for housing popular retail stores in the vacant space.

Sophie Elaine Glover said, "100% Dunelm," while Emma Watts proposed "Dunelm, a decent B&M or home bargains, or split into smaller units to get in Zara, Mango, Victoria secrets etc."

Julie Carter envisioned the space as "all different stalls in place like an Indoor market", while Lynn Tobin suggested: "I think they should move The Range to the old Debenhams (like in Chelmsford) and turn the out-of-town building into a youth centre or charity live music venue."

Karen Wood simply stated: "IKEA."