Page 4 - link magazine

Community News

What’s happening to the Locarno? - Redevelopment of Old Town proposed

The current state of the Locarno’s impressive arches is a sorry sight Digitised plans of the Locarno building and old Market Square
By Mike Barham transformed with high quality paved
It’s a building that sits at the heart surfaces, signage, trees, street
of Old Town. An old beauty that lighting, all designed so people are
is in need of some real love and more important than the motorcar.”
attention to bring back its former With partnership agreements
glory. made in July 2016, the timeline
But now the Locarno building for restoration and renovation was
is set to be included in a major anticipated to include the public
renovation project, part of display of the proposals in March
ambitious plans for Old Town that 2017, detailed planning applications
have just been revealed. to be submitted in May and
The £35m regeneration plans for construction to begin October 2017.
the Locarno and the surrounding With building work estimated to be
area were unveiled via a website completed by November 2019. Digital render of the building that would occupy the Lawns corner of Old Town
launch in late July. It has lain in Project director Steve Rosier
disrepair since 1984, after being said: “We’ve actually been looking changing its appeal. I would like asset to Old Town.
used as a dance hall, corn exchange, into regenerating The Locarno to see a definitive difference as “Currently it is a 53-acre plot
wine storage in the cellars for and the area since 2012, when you drive in, with different street of land that costs the council
banquets and grand bazaars, and we decided on a fresh approach lighting, different road surface thousands to maintain and I believe
entertainment of all sorts. to the development with Swindon and an all-round change in the is used by a modest number of
According to the new website Borough Council’s involvement. We visual impact of the surrounding people. If the old manor house was
www.theexchangeswindon.co.uk, assembled a group led by the team buildings. The Locarno is key to still there in its entirety it would
the plans include keeping the at Forward Swindon to assess the this as it is such a dramatic and probably be owned by the National
facade of the existing Locarno but feasibility of turning the Locarno beautiful piece of architecture.” Trust and would be in need of a car
completely transforming the interior area into a retail centre. The plans shown to Swindon Link parking area so this is a solution
and the adjacent square which “We created a vision statement detail the scale of the project, with that, if handled correctly, would be
is currently used as a car park. outlining how we wished to an underground cinema and car the best compromise for Old Town.”
This will include shops, a hotel, a proceed, looking at all elements park particularly standing out. Richard Deacon, head of the Old
cinema, flats, bars and restaurants. of Old Town, such as the positive The subject of car parking is Town Business Association, has
The designs for a revamped and negative impact of buildings something many will be worried also been in discussions with the
Corn Exchange have been created and design in the area. In 2013 we about when discussing more Exchange team, and supports their
by award winning architects FCB engaged in a public consultation retailers in Old Town, with the plans for the Locarno. He said:
Studios and features a glass roof and got overwhelming support from underground car park to be built at “I think it is a good opportunity
over the old Locarno ballroom, those who engaged. the Locarno only being offered to for the area. We have had a good
which will be surrounded by “The covered market needs to operators and hotel users. dialogue with Steve and his team
restaurants, cafés, bars, bistros, attract retailers that will appeal But Mr Rosier seems confident particularly over the past three
boutique cinema and niche retail to an aspirational market. We aim of a particular solution which years and I think the community
shops. to bring in brands such as Jamie would involve a car parking area on deserves this development.
Market Square will assume Oliver’s restaurants, Carluccio’s the Old Town lawn behind Christ “The lawn car park would be
its historic purpose as a public and other more boutique operators Church. positive in my opinion, if done in
square, not a car park, with a that will be in keeping with the “In my opinion, if the car park the right way. Any commercial
beautiful new public piazza. The redevelopment as a whole. was created with an ecological enterprise is dependent on four-
clock tower and façade will be “The population of Swindon is focus, controlled correctly both in wheeled transport, so we would
restored, entertainment will be growing as we all know, and having terms of traffic and usage in the have to find a sustainable solution.
encouraged, as would a sustainable an area like that which we have evenings and if the neighbouring “The only point I would like to
street market. According to the proposed is a great aspirational sunken gardens and manor house see continue, as a daytime operator,
website: “The public realm along opportunity. It will change the were renovated into potentially a is the current arrangement for short
High Street and Wood Street will be image of the town by physically tea room or the like, it would be an term parking on Wood Street.”
4 swindonlink.com n September 2016

SE September 2016 Master Pages.indd 4 19/08/2016 11:41