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17-20 HIGH STREET
No.83. February 1989 . Circulation 10,000 WOOUON BASSEU
Tel: 853887

Leisure Park pulls in keen interest

The proposals for the Shaw Ridge there will be disturbance and an in-
Leisure Park, opposite the West vasion of privacy for those who live
Swindon Centre, have been greeted closest."
with enthusiasm. The exhibition Shiela Cracknell from Freshbrook
of plans and a scale model in the expressed concern about the traffic
Link Centre during the last week of congestion on Whitehill Way and the
January was visited by hundreds need for better pedestrian access to
of people. and from, and within, the Leisure
The Leisure Park, featured in last Park. I think the needs of people on
month's Link Magazine, will con- foot have been underestimated; the
tain a ten screen cinema, a 324ane plans seem to be geared up for the car
ten pin Superbowl, nightclub, a driver. The majority of pedestrians
luxury hotel with conference centre will have to use a poorly lit, often
and three restaurants. It will be flooded underpass. And getting
one of the first schemes in the coun- across the site to and from the Pizza-
try where a range of integrated leisure fa- Michael Oldrieve, centre, points out afeature hut looks hazardous."
cilities are combined on one site. of the Leisure Park to Nick Belson, Karen Li There is a chance for residents to meet
"The reaction from visitors has been Codling and her Sons Thomas and Simon local councillors to express their views
very favourable," said Michael Oldrieve, much larger project altogether. Council- on the Leisure Park on Thursday 16th
for site developers Carter Commercial lors have told us that we may be able to February, 8p.m. in the Community Suite,
Developments of Bristol. "Most people influence some of the details, but that's Link Centre. The scheme goes before
have been saying 'great,' when is it going about it. Thamesdown Council's planning com-
to open." "It will be great for Swindon but mittee on 27 February.
Ian Riches for cinema operators CIC/
UA (UK) Limited said the response from
the general public had been terrific. "I Takeaway customers to help
was involved in the original proposal to
build a 10 screen cinema on the site over community groups
two years ago. So I'm delighted the pres-
ent scheme is well thought of." A West Swindon fast food takeaway is interesting requests from community
Many residents from Eastleaze visited celebrating five years of successful groups.
the exhibition and expressed fears about trading in the area and wants custom- Coach Caterers will be matching the
the development according to Mr. Old- ers, old and new, to help them help total amount raised at the Trawlerman
rieve. "They were obviously concerned local community groups. during the week, so it's
about the noise and the increased traffic The well known Trawl- likely that around £800 will
on roads close to their houses. We had erman Takeaway at the be available for distribu-
good discussions and I hope their fears West Swindon Centre has tion. Letters are being sent
were allayed by the efforts we are making served fish and chips to out to West Swindon
to minimise intrusion by offering high thousands of customers groups about the scheme.
quality facilities." during the last five years We will be looking for proj-
There were mixed views from residents and is launching a scheme ects from groupswh ich will
in Goldsborough Close. "My first reac- to assist local organisa- allowthem to do something
tion was to think 'not in my back yard,' tions with cash for special projects. which theywould not normallydo, such
said Phil Lewis, who overlooks the site. During the week beginning Monday as taking children on a museum trip or
"But Carters have done a lot by sinking 6th February until Saturday 11th Feb- a pensioners club bringing in a disco
the buildings into the ground. Its a good ruary, 10% of every sale at the Trawler- dancing demonstration. Obviously if
scheme and very convenient for us; let's man will be put into a fund to which the group is willing to put some money
hope they live up to their promises. local community groups can apply. into the activity, there will be more to
Karen Codling said it was hard to tell Its the first time a local business has go round.
how the finished buildings would look. attempted such a project according to "Its going to be Interesting to see if
"But with two young boys growing up in Mike Grey, area manager for Coach customers and groups take to this idea.
West Swindon, the Leisure Park will Caterers who operate the Trawlerman. Perhaps other local businesses may
improve our social life no end." "We've been successful over the last do the same."
Nick Belson said he understood there five years and this scheme is a good Community groups In West Swin-
was a great deal that could be done about way of putting something back into the don are invited to apply for support by
the plans. "Originally the site was to be community. I hope our customers will writing to Mr. M. Grey, The Trawler-
offices, then a cinema on its own, now it a like the idea and look forward to some man, West Swindon Centre.