In May, Orange City Centre operator Alceon Group announced plans for for 16 specialty shops, two mini-major stores and two kiosks to replace the department store.

The development would open access to Post Office Lane and a central main access to Summer Street.

Orange City Council staff have recommended the plans proceed.

The proposal attracted a submission from Orange and District Historical Society member Euan Greer, who applauded the reuse of James Dalton Junior's historic building, but queried whether key original elements, including cast iron columns and two pulley systems used to move goods between floors, would be retained or put on display.

The concerns were put to the proponent's heritage consultant, Urbis, which replied most of the columns would be reused throughout the design and the pulleys would be retained.

Urbis also said the basement, light vents and their pressed tin features would be kept, although the basement's staircase would be moved.

Mr Greer noted the Post Office Lane shops would cut into the original wall, but Urbis responded the brickwork would still be visible and the next level would remain undisturbed.

Orange Historical Society secretary Phil Stevenson said the response to Mr Greer's concerns seemed reasonable.

“I think if it's done tastefully and they've kept as much of the original fabric as they can, it will be better in a way,” he said.

“The columns no one can see because they're hidden in storage spaces, and those stairs and the winches on the top floor, no one can see them at the moment, so if they put them somewhere visible to the public, that would be a good step forward.”

Dalton's great-grandson, Robert Bruce, said the building was full of nostalgia.

“When I was very young, we went to buy shoes there and they had an x-ray machine so when you put the shoes on, you could see how they fit inside the shoe, which isn't done today,” he said.

“It's nice that they're going to retain a building that's meant so much to Orange.”

Alceon declined to comment until a decision was made.