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The former Debenhams department store in Bristol’s city centre is set to be transformed into a new skate park.

Plans to rejuvenate the disused building on the Horsefair are being led by Bristol-based not-for-profit Campus Skateboarding.

The organisation worked with Bristol law firm Thrings to secure a short-term lease for the space and has now been granted licensing and permissions for the venue, which is set to open next month.

The lower-ground floor of the building will be turned into a "one-of-a-kind urban destination" for visitors of all ages, Campus said.

The focus will be a skating area that has been described as a "skate plaza". According to those behind the proposals, the design will make the most of the size of the space, and the smoothness of the floor, and mimic some of the obstacles that skaters use on the street.

The venue will host other alternative sports and activities as well, such as bike polo and a roller derby, and will be suitable for competitive and casual users. There will be a bar on site, managed and led by the same team that opened The Dame on Dean Lane in Bedminster.

Tim Nokes, director of Campus Skateboarding, said: “Breathing new life into this historic site that many Bristolians will know well is a very exciting prospect as we look to create an amazing new venue that caters to a wide range interests while fostering a sense of inclusivity and creativity. We are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to share the experience with everyone very soon!"

James Woodward, director of Hartnell Taylor Cook, who represented the landlord, said: “When we were asked to try and come up with a temporary use for a closed department store the options for standard retailers were limited, so we needed to think outside the box. The rise of leisure in city centres got us thinking about how we could use the big open space and we quickly landed on a skate park concept.