Swindon residents react to major plans for town centre

Councillor Jim Robbins and MP Heidi Alexander have both revealed their ambitions to improve the area in recent days.

Their aims include a new theatre and entertainment venue, fewer empty shops, and high levels of investment.

Reacting to their dual visions for the town centre, residents have voiced their concerns that there may be significant work needed to make Swindon a destination for shoppers.

Many Adver readers have called for lower parking rates from the council and lower rents from landlords to encourage both shoppers and businesses into the area.

Sandy Arnold said: “That’s it, waste more money on this ghost town, put the rates down, free or cheap parking, so people will return, and affordable shops can return.”

READ MORE: Serious plans underway to make Swindon town centre better

Swindon town centre (Image: Aled Thomas) Owen Armstrong added: “Decreasing parking charges and the rents for shops would have meant there would still be shops now.”

Others felt that the town centre needs at least one new large supermarket to draw people in, following the closure of M&S last year.

One Adver reader said: “Two words: affordable supermarket.

“Give locals something they need to go to town for, and while they're there, they'll stay and browse.

“Right now, the only real supermarket is Tesco, and I won't go there for a proper shop.”

Ms Alexander said her aim to fill empty units may include pop-up shops and temporary uses.

But some residents think stakeholders should be finding ways to encourage long term occupants that will attract shoppers from outside the town centre.

Cllr Jim Robbins (Image: Newsquest) Michaela Anna said: “People want to know what they're going into town for.

“Attracting retailers who can afford to stay long term and who sell items that people want to go out and buy is what will attract people to go into town.”

Malcolm Woods added: “We have a good town centre.

“Long term shops and supermarkets are what is needed to serve people that live in the town centre.

“Invite the stores in from out-of-town shopping centres… we definitely don't need pop-up shops.”

Cllr Robbins has emphasised that having all stakeholders, including residents, united behind the plans will be crucial.

He said: “The next step will be to present the plan to cabinet, and the public, at November’s meeting.

“We will be going to try and get large amounts of investment in the town centre and we need to have residents, landowners, businesses and all the stakeholders lined up behind the plan.”