Future of Bracknell's The Deck in Doubt

Questions have been raised over the future of the former Bentalls department store in Bracknell after years of stalled redevelopment plans for the site known as The Deck.

The Deck was once earmarked for a multi-million-pound food and shopping quarter, but the original scheme was abandoned in 2023. The site was included in the £150 million sale of The Lexicon to investment firm Realty Income in November 2025.

Council leader Helen Purnell said it was "top of the agenda" in May, but five months on no detailed plans have been made public. Councillor Paul Bidwell told a scrutiny meeting the council has been pressing the centre's new owners for proposals.

"They took ownership at the back end of last year, it's a new venture for them and a new type of retail enterprise and it's taking time to get to know how things operate," he said.

"We have been really pushing hard for them to come up with plans for The Deck. Hopefully we'll get a better steer of what will be happening."

The original plans were dropped amid rising construction costs, inflation and changing market conditions after the Covid-19 pandemic made the scheme commercially unviable.

Conservative councillor Robert McLean said developing The Deck is key to keeping Bracknell competitive. "I am a passionate believer in keeping Bracknell Forest on the map," he said. "We are a small town with lots of competition around us.

"The Deck, which I am very keen to see developed, could be a place to attract people who maybe can't afford long-term lets," he said. "It gives local people the opportunity to set up their stands and provide places to eat and drink in a convivial environment."

He added: "Having The Deck open [to the public] certainly would made residents' lives better - it is really important to get this done."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted Bracknell Forest Council for an update on the site's future.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter