Plans to fill the empty Bentalls site in Bracknell town centre are ‘still at a very early stage,’ the councillor in charge of regeneration has said.

Council leaders are considering a new ‘masterplan’ for the town centre. It includes replacing High Street Car Park with a ‘new neighbourhood,’ building a ‘market square’ where Bracknell bus station currently is, and revamping the area around Bracknell Library.

But the future of the empty Bentalls site is still unknown – as the private company that owns the land hasn’t come up with a solution.

The landowner, Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP), told the News it wants to ‘explore new proposals’ and will ‘share further updates in due course.’

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Proposals to demolish and replace the fondly-remembered Bentalls department store were part of the original vision for Bracknell town centre’s transformation.

They involved replacing the building with a square for restaurants and bars – known as The Deck – and demolition took place in 2021.

But the scheme faced delays relating to the coronavirus pandemic and soaring construction costs. BRP eventually announced in October last year that it had abandoned the plans and would have to come up with a new scheme.

Bracknell Forest Council says it is working with BRP to find a permanent solution – and councillors hope the space can be filled with temporary uses in the meantime.

READ MORE: Bracknell bus station could be replaced by market square

But five months later BRP says it is still weighing up its options. A spokesperson told the News: “Bracknell Regeneration Partnership remains fully committed to unlocking the next stage of the town centre’s regeneration.

“We are currently working alongside Bracknell Forest Council to explore new proposals for the former Bentalls site which serve the needs of the local community. We hope to share further updates in due course.”

Councillor Paul Bidwell, responsible for regeneration, said the council was keen to have the space filled. But he stressed that the council doesn’t own the site – meaning the decision is up to BRP.

He told the News: “We do not own or manage the land that was previously occupied by the old Bentalls building.

READ MORE: High Street Car Park could be replaced by 'new neighbourhood' 

“Of course, we would still like that area redeveloped as it is a key site within the town centre and we know residents would like to see it regenerated. The council continues to work with BRP on longer term plans for that site, which are still at a very early stage.”

He added: “We are very keen to have something on the site in the interim and have been discussing possible short-term options with BRP. We have committed to helping regenerate that site where we can but ultimately it is the landowner’s decision and within their control.”