Page 4 - link magazine

4 The Link Magazine • March 2003
Building a better place
John Cullum, Chairman of the New Swindon Company. which was launched on 28 January,
describes the challenge of regenerating Swindon's central area.
Swindon is a successful town with pen. Swindon is essential to the
a booming economy and excel- regional economy. But we'd like to
lent communications, so why does see more town centre living, im-
it need regeneration? proved cultural, education and lei-
Simple. The town centre hasn't sure facilities, more choice in places
kept pace with the development in to eat and a really different retail
surrounding areas, so if Swindon experience. And let's not forget
is to continue to thrive and not fall that we have a wonderful railway
in to 'new town syndrome' then heritage in the town with a number
the centre has to have a vibrant life of listed buildings.
of its own. And that is exactly what The centre of Swindon needs to
The New Swindon Company is have appeal for everyone. As well
here to do — regenerate the central as meeting the needs of existing
area, creating a place for everyone residents, businesses and commu-
to live, work and play. Too often nity groups we also want a town
we hear about new towns that have centre that has a truly mixed com-
no heart, where outer residential munity and encourages new peo-
areas are created with their own ple and investment.
communities and retail, leisure, Right now, we are working with
education and employment facili- our master planners to create a
ties — with the result that the town regeneration framework for the
loses its identity. town centre. And a comprehen-
The New Swindon Company Attending the launch of The New Swindon Company at the Steam Museum, sive programme of consultation
(Swindon's urban regeneration from left, chairman John Cullum, community representative Malathy Siteram, and communication is underway,
company) is clearly focused on Kevin Small, company director and leader of Swindon Borough Council, to ensure that everyone gets the
ensuring that this does not hap- newly appointed chief executive Peter Andrews chance to share their thoughts and
ideas.
This framework for the next two
The shape of things to come
decades, which should be final-
A major expansion of the Brunel Centre by joint owners Westfield and Hermes received outline planning ised by June 2003, will not only
permission from Swindon Council at the end of January. describe the town centre, it will
The proposals for the £150 mil- define how that vision will be
lion investment, which will cre- achieved and how much it will
ate 1,100 permanent jobs and cost. That said, we are not stand-
600 construction jobs include: ing still until the framework is com-
• a landmark building incorpo- pleted. As well as developing the
rating a new department store framework, we have already
at the upper end of Regent Street;
• started discussions with key
Over 100 additional shops on stakeholders, developers and the
two levels:
• company's funding partners, Swin-
A 12 screen cinema;
• don Borough Council and South
Cafes and restaurants:
• West of England Regional Devel-
An 800 seat food court bring- opment Agency, to explore and
ing a range of international cui- drive forward opportunities for
sine:
• improvement.
A 1,400 new multi-storey car For more details or to put for-
park giving pedestrian access di- ward your ideas for the centre of
rectly onto Regent Street to- Swindon, take a look at our website
gether with a basement car park at www.newswindon.co.uk
accessed off Commercial Road:
• Major improvements to the 'New Swindon'
Wharf Green public area between
Harking to the past
the link Magazine House of Fraser and Sainsbury's In 1853 the New Swindon Improve-
including shops, catering, exter- ment Company was formed to sell
Published by nal seating and improved land- shares to raise £3,000 to build the
Swindon Publications Ltd. scaping; Mechanics' Institute forthose work-
Papermakers House, Westlea • Improved pedestrian links ing in the railway works and their
through the Brunel Centre to the
Swindon SN5 7BD families.
rest of the town centre, along Ca-
Tel: (01793) 872282 In 1892 the shares were re-
nal Walk, Regent Street, Bridge
Fax: (01793) 878189 "The Link was first published for the West Street and Havelock Street; deemed and the company wound
e: [email protected] Swindon community in December 1978. • An entrance into the extended up.
www.swindonlink.com It is completely independent of Link Centre centre from Havelock Street; The English Heritage Grade II*
and, in fact, won a competition to name the • Improvements to Canal Walk en- listed building now lies derelict, but
leisure centre in 1984. Distribution in North closing the area beneath the link work should start any moment to
Swindon commenced in January 1994." bridge between The Arcade and protect it from further deteriora-
The contents of The Link are protected The Plaza at ground floor level. tion.
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: by copyright. Use of advertisements in A Westfield spokesperson said The New Mechanics' Institute
Call Jenni Fowler on printed or electronic form is forbidden the planning permission cleared Trust is working with Great West-
(01793)872531 unless an advertiser or publisher has the way for land acquisition nego- ern Enterprise on a £10 million
[email protected] sought permission. Articles and photo- lottery application to bring it back
Booking deadline: 7 March graphs require similar authority tiations which means construction as a community centre forthe whole
would not start for at least two
Registered In England & Wales. No. 4513027. Registered Office: 130 High Street. Hungeriord, Berks. RG17 ODL. Printed by pep. Tabora I years. town.