ALMOST complete and with geometric precision a state-of-art department store cuts an otherworldly presence over a historic Suffolk market town.

ALMOST complete and with geometric precision a state-of-art department store cuts an otherworldly presence over a historic Suffolk market town.

The new Debenhams store in Bury St Edmunds - which has been nicknamed the “clamshell” - is the aluminium clad flagship development at the heart of the £100million Arc shopping centre.

It has now been handed over to the department store's own contractors so work can start on the interior.

Chris Staples, liaison manager with builders Taylor Woodrow, said the handover marked a major step-forward for the 200 strong workforce.

He said: “The inside of that building has been handed over to Debenhams and their own fit-out contractor is proceeding on their works - that is a milestone for us.

“There are still several challenges ahead but we are on track for opening in spring 2009. It will be up to the residents in Bury what view they take of it - we have built what was required and that is it.”

Designed by Hopkins architects on the site of a former cattle market the Arc includes 35 shops, a public venue hall, restaurants and a new link connecting the four new streets to the historic core.

The “new heart” will be a contrast to the medieval grid of cobbled lanes, period buildings and timbered homes, which make up the vast majority of Bury.