The centre manager in charge of one of Swindon’s top tourist destinations has promised to keep the spirit of the former railway works alive.

Swindon’s Designer Outlet Centre is based in the former Great Western Railway works which closed its doors in 1986.

Centre manager Tina Cumpstey, said: “We are very privileged to look after this building.

“It’s an honour, we are the guardians of this business and we really do look after it.

“When we did the long shop development in 2015, there was a derelict railway shed and we bought it back to life.”

Swindon Advertiser:

Mrs Cumpstey confirmed the steam locomotive currently on display by the food court would remain at the shopping centre for the foreseeable future.

7821 Ditcheat Manor has been based at the Designer Outlet centre since 2018 when it was moved from the neighbouring STEAM museum in place of sister locomotive Hinton Manor.

Ditcheat Manor is currently owned by the West Somerset Railway Association and lastly steamed in 2005.

The shopping centre is located on the site of the long shop which was once responsible for erecting steam and diesel locomotives.