At the time of the purchase Conservative mayor Tom Wootton said: “It was vital Bedford had something at the heart of it” after it had “sat empty for so long”.
A year later in 2025 the ground floor of the old Debenhams re-opened as a visitor information centre, gift shop and box office for the Corn Exchange – part of an initial first phase of redevelopment.
The next phase is expected to focus on reusing and repurposing existing buildings including the Debenhams site and the library in Mayes Yard.
Spice said the appointment was a “major step” towards revitalising the area and part of a vision to create town centres that people are “proud to live in and excited to visit”.
Last year Bedford Borough Council said it planned to spend £2.5m on refurbishing the Corn Exchange, a Grade II listed building that dates back to 1874 and was used as a base for the BBC Symphony Orchestra during World War Two.
And, as part of the longer term regeneration of Mayes Yard, the Exchange could see an expansion of its auditorium from 800 to 1,200 seats and improvements to the Harpur Suite concert venue.
However it also pulled out of buying the Lloyd’s Bank building which had been earmarked for inclusion in the Mayes Yard development.