Page 3 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • August 2004 3
New look town centre on the horizon

More shops, offices, housing and 'squares', but critics say plan could be better (Established over 10 Years
After years of growth and popularity at the edges of Swindon and decline of the town centre - the poor
range of shops, its lack of decent restaurants, the very limited cultural activities, the diminishing number 'WE COME TO YOU
of jobs, as well as inadequate nightlife aimed at late night revellers and pub crawlers - broad proposals AT HOME OR WORK'
have been revealed by the New Swindon Company to renew the centre over the next 10 to 15 years.
* FREE
Company chairman John l o collection & delivery
Cullum claims they will 'create a
Servicing & repairs
town that has life and energy dur-
ing and after the working day - an WE ALSO SELL
attractive place that people will BIKE
DOCTOR * New cycles
choose for shopping, leisure, work
* Parts & accessories
and living, where civic pride is
strong and the prosperity of the
centre drives the region's
economy.'
Set up with government fund-
ing in partnership with Swindon
Council, the New Swindon Com-
/l Charles Lucas
pany has responsibility for creat-
4
V A T & Marshall
ing a framework for development
and liaising between agencies and
landowners to ensure the vision is
realised.
Chief executive Peter Andrews
said that Swindon had become pro-
gressively less attractive to inves- We're on
tors and shoppers. "The town has
continued to grow outwardly, yet
its centre as a place to shop or
enjoy culture and leisure has been some projects are well underway. its own consultation meetings on: side
falling behind other town. In terms Westfields, who own the Brunel Thursday 29 July and Saturday
of its retail ranking, Swindon has are already committed to adding 31 July. Anybody interested in the
dropped from 44th in 1995 to 77th 100,000 square metres of retail town centre's future is invited. Call
For experienced, practical help call
in 2002. space off Commercial Road. Plans 520592 for details. Swindon 511055 ,^^,^.Taas
The New Swindon Company's are soon to come forward to de- www.newswindon.co . u
vision involves investment of £1 velop the old post office site on
billion, largely by the private sec- Fleming Way and Swindon Coun-
tor but also the borough council, cil are working on a long-awaited Can Chiropractic help me?
on several key areas. These are scheme to replace the central li-
labelled: brary to include a new art gallery. How much will it cost?
1 The Promenade - the develop- "The development is incremen-
ment of a cultural and artistic quar- tal," said Peter Andrews. "People We are often asked, "What's the best way
ter along Prince's Street to Swin- will see detailed plans coming for- of finding out whether a doctor of
don College at the bottom of Victo- ward over the next 3 to 5 years and chiropractic can help my problem?"
ria Hill, taking in the Wyvern Thea- significant completions between
We believe the answer can be found in a
tre and the old Town Hall; 2008 and 2010."
complete chiropractic consultation and
2 The Hub - expansion of the re- However the Swindon Civic
tail core to include a greater vari- Trust say an opportunity to create examination, including x-rays. And to help
ety of shops with better pedestrian an integrated vision for the future find out for sure, we will do a complete These procedures normally
links; based on a town centre university consultation and examination, including cost £100 or more!
3 The Exchange - more offices is being lost. x-rays, if necessary, for just (Does not include personal
with residential accommodation Chairman John Monniott criti- injury cases or car accidents
and leisure facilities around the cised the proposals for being shal- £15. resulting in insurance claims.)
Zurich Tri-Centre and bus station, lower than ideas suggested by ur-
close to Fleming Way; ban planning consultants Shillam Testimonial
4 The Arena - described as creat- and Smith in 2000, and different Hi! Something amazing has happened!
ing a 'heart' for the town, a large from those put forward in public
On Friday evening I went out with Dale to the cinema, had a Chinese,
public open space centred around consultation by the New Swindon
a few glasses of wine stayed up until midnight.'!
Fleming Way, with a mix of shops, Company in 2003. "Swindon de-
Nothing amazing about that 1/tear you say. But for me it is! I have not been
restaurants and cafes; serves much better after two years
out with my husband on a Friday night for several years. All the weekend has
5 Swindon Central - improve- of effort. These blotches of colour
ever held for me was headaches, pain, exhaustion and bed before 10pm. After
ment to the area around the rail- on an aerial photo don't do justice
r
r
5 weeks of t eatment my quality of life has already imp oved. Thanks Paul
way station with small shops, busi- to the once-and-for-all opportu-
nesses and better links to the other nity to get the town centre right. if you want to get a life - get a chiropractor
side of the tracks to: "We face the dual calamity of Love Valerie Taylor
6 The Campus - a new business losing the benefit of the university
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
park on land north of the railway in the town centre, whilst seeing
call our office for an appointment g4361
line; Coate become a sea of concrete."
7 North Star Village - about 1,300 He added that the New Swin- 01793 814567
94005 Devizes Rtl
new dwellings around the Oasis don Company seemed to have lost Mark Blokland and Associates (GCC Registered °M4„s
Leisure Centre, which will be re- the focus to create a better town for Ridgeway Chiropractic Clinic o M4
newed, replaced or removed. its people. www.ridgeway-health.com A4311 5
Although only a scheme illus- The Civic Trust is going to come Fairwater Stables, High Street, Wroughton
trated with artists' impressions, up with alternative proposals at