A community leader has urged anyone interested in buying the former Bury St Edmunds Wilko building to 'get a move on' amid fears it could be vandalised and become and eyesore.
Cliff Waterman, leader of West Suffolk Council and councillor for Eastgate ward, has called for people to share their ideas for the site in Risbygate Street, which remains listed for sale on Rightmove for £2,250,000 following the store closure in September 2023.
Meanwhile, a town business leader has said he believes the site could be used as a “one stop shop” for health services with some form of hub, and voiced his concern for potential anti-social behaviour at the empty site.
Cllr Waterman said: "I was really sad when Wilko closed. It was one of my favourite shops in town.
"I’d often go in to buy just one thing, but come out with loads of useful household stuff, all at bargain prices. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.
"The town is really thriving, so it’s surprising that it hasn’t been snapped up, but it’s all down to who wants it and what they are willing to pay.
"I would urge interested parties to get a move on, though, as it is on one of the main gateways into town, and I would hate to see it vandalised and become an eyesore," he added.
Mark Cordell, CEO of Our Bury St Edmunds BID, said: "I am a firm believer that the market will decide what businesses come to the town and if that means that the unit became accommodation that would be acceptable as this would mean even more people living in the town centre, a captured audience for our businesses."
He said he does not feel the site is likely, within the near future, to become occupied by a single shop.
"Personally, I would welcome the location to be some form of community/health hub, where services which are currently provided elsewhere (the hospital, GP surgeries, job centre etc) freeing up capacity elsewhere but creating a “one stop shop” for health related services," he said.
He continued: "I am concerned that the condition of the building will deteriorate if no one is showing it any TLC and earlier in the year there were incidents of ASB and people sleeping in tents there, which is not ideal for nearby businesses or residents.
"Bearing in mind Cornhill Walk has been empty for over 6 years, with still no immediate likelihood of this changing anytime soon I tend to think that 6 months for Wilkos is not too bad," he added.
Town mayor Diane Hind said: "Wilko has been a big loss as its comprehensive wide ranging stocks meant it had a diverse range of customers, and I’d like to see this in town as there is a gap in provision at the moment.
"It would need planning permission to become residential, and I haven’t heard anything to confirm that that is likely.
"We are fortunate in Bury that we have relatively few empty shops, compared to some towns, and I hope that this will be a factor in securing a buyer for the site soon."
Wilko closed in Bury St Edmunds on September 17 last year and the property was placed on the market in January this year.
This came after the chain, which sold homewares, household goods and DIY supplies, was forced to close after collapsing into administration.
Other stores in Suffolk, including Ipswich and Lowestoft, also closed their doors.
The news follows several recent business successes in Bury St Edmunds including the opening of Primark in the former Debenhams, Deichmann in the former Peacocks, and Oliver Bonas in the former Topshop.
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