• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Thursday October 3 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Rallying cry issued to landowners and developers over Swindon town centre future

A rallying cry has been issued to landowners and developers to help drive the regeneration of Swindon town centre regeneration over the next decade.

Addressing a meeting of representatives from over 30 organisations on Tuesday (October 1) Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins said that “moving the dial” on progressing work to rejuvenate the town centre will depend on the private sector bringing forward innovative proposals and investment to unlock the town centre’s future.

The meeting was convened by the council to help develop a set of shared ambitions for the town centre that will be set out in a document called the Vision for the Heart of Swindon, which will be tabled at the Council’s cabinet meeting in November.

Swindon residents will also have an opportunity to comment on the new ambitions in the autumn.

Representatives from organisations including FI Real Estate Management, owners of the Brunel Centre, GCL, representing The Parade, William Arthur Property, owner of commercial property in the town centre, Network Rail and the University of Bath built on previous discussions to review the latest draft of the shared ambitions.

Cllr Robbins urged the partners present to “be bold and help lead the reinvention of the town centre” through committing to actions that progress the ambitions under discussion.

He talked about the ‘snowball effect’ of how investment in new housing, employment and educational space can act as a catalyst to help generate a vibrant future for the town centre.

As part of its contribution, the council has committed to bring forward proposals this year for a new performance and cultural venue in the town centre, with capacity for national touring shows, as well as other large scale events.

Cllr Robbins said: “It’s clear that creating a vibrant, attractive town centre over the next decade will only be possible with the buy-in and contributions from a wide range of partners.

“That’s why we committed as part of the Swindon Plan and Build a Better Swindon mission to bring together key organisations with a stake in the future of the town centre to develop a clear set of shared ambitions. These will be presented more widely in the coming months once finalised.

“Achieving the ambitions will require the imagination and investment of partners to help reinvent the town centre. The Council will do everything it can to facilitate this, using the town centre assets it owns to help bring forward new places for people to live, work, learn and socialise.

“This includes sharing proposals for a new performance and cultural venue in the town centre next month.”

Latest: Swindon Council publishes business-led draft of town centre ‘reinvention’ plan