Bedford Borough Council is to reconsider the executive decision to progress the sale and redevelopment of the former Debenhams building in the town centre after a cross-party group of councillors called in the matter, the council has confirmed.
Call-in prompts formal review
The referral followed a motion signed by Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green councillors that set out a series of reservations about the proposal. The motion highlighted concerns including a widely reported claim that the building could be sold for as little as a £1 — a claim the mayor has denied — and warned of wider risks from proceeding without fuller safeguards.
At a committee meeting, councillors considered representations from those who called in the decision, the decision-makers, witnesses, officers and legal advisers. The committee resolved to return the original decision to the executive for further consideration and review in line with the council's constitution.
What the motion identified
- Alleged undervaluation of the former Debenhams building, including the contested suggestion of a £1 sale price.
- Concerns about the absence of a comprehensive, long-term plan for the wider area and the danger that development might stop after an initial phase.
- Questions over the developers' experience in Bedford and the procurement process, which councillors said cost almost £400,000 more than planned.
- Wider financial risk to the authority given its existing financial difficulties, and the potential for government intervention through commissioners as well as uncertainty ahead of the 2027 elections.
The council said it had considered the matter in accordance with its governance rules and that the concerns identified would be fed back to the original decision-maker for further consideration.
Political and practical implications
The issue reaches beyond a single property transaction. Bedford, like many local authorities, faces tight finances and scrutiny over how public assets are managed. Councillors pressing for a review made clear they want reassurance that any disposal or development will not leave the borough exposed to unexpected costs or an unfinished project that fails to regenerate the area.
"We all want to see regeneration of Mayes Yard, however it is vital any development is carefully considered, and we hope the executive will now take on board the concerns raised by other councillors," Labour party leader in Bedford Abu Sultan said.
Cityheart, the developer involved, told the BBC it had nothing further to add at this time. The mayor has publicly denied the specific claim that the building could be sold for £1, but the detail and adequacy of contractual safeguards and procurement decisions remain central to councillors' unease.
Next steps and what residents should expect
The referral means the executive must revisit its decision with the committee's concerns in mind. That could result in the executive reaffirming the original choice, amending the terms, or in some cases pausing the transaction while further information or protections are put in place. Any of those outcomes will have implications for the timetable of works in the Mayes Yard area and the wider town-centre regeneration strategy.
| Issue raised | Council response / status |
|---|---|
| Alleged £1 sale price | Mayor has denied the claim |
| Procurement overspend (~£400,000) | Highlighted in call-in; subject to further review |
| Risk of stalled development | Raised by councillors; to be considered by executive |
For residents concerned about the future of Mayes Yard and the town centre, the review offers an opportunity for greater transparency about the terms of any sale or development agreement and the safeguards to protect public interest. Councillors from across the political spectrum have framed their intervention as a bid to ensure the regeneration delivers long-term benefit rather than short-term gain.
The next formal stage will be the executive's reconsideration of the decision in light of the committee's referral. Until that process is complete, firm timelines for redevelopment and details of contractual protections are unlikely to be confirmed.
Bedford Borough Council said it would communicate further details as the review proceeds.
