SWINDON and Royal Wootton Bassett are going head to head in a bid to become one of the first Portas pilot towns.

Both towns have submitted applications, which include YouTube videos, to be one of several towns and cities chosen by Mary Portas to receive up to £100,000 to improve their high streets North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said Swindon was in a strong position to win the cash, particularly as the shopping guru had recognised the town’s efforts to reduce parking charges in her review.

“I am delighted that the Government and Mary Portas were so impressed by the standard of entries that they have increased the number of potential pilots to 20,” he said.

“It is clear both the Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett bids are strong contenders and I was delighted to play an integral role in co-ordinating the Swindon application, which I hope will be successful.

“Swindon has a strong case because we are on the cusp of major regeneration and with 300,000 shoppers within 20 minutes and three million within an hour we absolutely have the potential to have a thriving town centre.

“We have already been commended by Mary Portas for the Conservative council cutting car parking charges which resulted in significant increases in footfall, which she has already highlighted in her original report.”

Swindon’s video includes comments from Mr Tomlinson, as well as from Simon Jackson, CEO of InSwindon, Paul Booth, franchisee of McDonalds, and Gavin Jones, chief executive of Swindon Council.

There are shots of the Magic Roundabout, the Big Screen, Central Library, the old Swindon College building and the High Street.

Royal Wootton Bassett’s application is a silent movie about businesses in the town such as Brian Taylor Music, Guelder Rose Florists, Maddisons Greengrocers and the Town Hall Tea Rooms.

North Wiltshire MP, James Gray said he thinks the scheme is aimed more at towns like Royal Wootton Bassett.

“In Wiltshire we have exactly the right towns the money would be good for. It seems to me that it is important that it is more for small high streets. Places that are more like cities, like Swindon is, are less appropriate than the likes of Royal Wootton Bassett.”

“They have their arguments but I would argue Royal Wootton Bassett is much more like the kind of place that Mary Portas is thinking about.”

The winning towns will gain support from the department of communities.

To see the videos search for Swindon town centre’s Portas Pilot application or Royal Wootton Bassett Portas Pilot Town Bid Video on www.youtube.co.uk.