The only shop in Colmore Row I remember with boarded-up windows and small glass panes was Boots the Chemists on the corner of Bull Street.I thought Rackhams had previously had a shop in Colmore Row. Its window had been damaged by bombing during the war. Like similar others, the window was boarded up with just a small glass pane in the the middle.
The Wikipedia page says the Birmingham store is secure, after the owners of Sports Direct bought the company out of administration.
Legal & General who own the House of Fraser building in Corporation street have announced plans to turn the building into offices and a hotel. The building is currently on a short term let to Sports Direct who are currently operating the House of Fraser stores. The building was bought by Legal & General in 2014 for £71.4m.
The plans also include shops, restaurants, cafes, leisure facilities, bars, communal space etc.