'Swindon town center needs to be completely reinvented'

Jim Robbins looks into the camera, wearing a blue suit jacket and pink shirt. — The council’s leader, Councilor Jim Robbins, is determined the vision will become a reality (BBC)

Plans to reinvent Swindon town center will be tabled at a council meeting on Wednesday evening.

Called a concept document “Heart of Swindon” sets eight objectives, investing in the center, including a better place to live, and being creative with a greater mix of shops and entertainment venues.

Swindon Borough Council said a number of organizations had come together to help develop the plan, including Network Rail and Business West.

Councilor Jim Robbins, leader of the council, said: “Everyone is clear on the diagnosis: Swindon town center needs a complete reinvention.

‘Reverse the cynicism’

“Of course they are just ambitions. But I am determined that the final vision document will not be another glossy travel brochure where we never arrive at the airport.

“I understand the public cynicism created by previous plans and grand schemes for the city center that have not yet been realised. But we must turn the cynicism around and support a positive path forward,” he explained.

Mr Robbins added that private, public and voluntary sectors are needed to work together, but partners were already coming together to shape the plans.

Making this possible also requires a lot of private investment, he said.

Swindon Town Center on a gray day, tower blocks in the background, a pedestrian area lined with shops in two-storey red brick buildings with flat roofs. — The town center has been a point of contention in Swindon for several years (BBC)

Each ambition includes proposals on how it can be achieved. It is proposed to create up to 5,000 new homes in the city centre, many of which would be affordable.

Others are exploring redeveloping the Brunel Centre, bringing forward a residential-led development in Kimmerfields and creating a major entertainment venue.

The council’s cabinet will be asked this month to make a decision on the location of the entertainment venue and approve work to develop a detailed business case.

If approved at the meeting, the council will ask residents and interested parties for their input to arrive at a final version.

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‘Swindon town center needs to be completely reinvented’

‘Reverse the cynicism’

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