Drone photographer Jason Spickett, who goes by Swindon From The Air on facebook has captured the most recent update of the site.
Around half of the old cinema building has also been torn down, leaving a vast cleared space in the centre of Swindon.
Only the Nando’s unit and its access route remain standing as contractors continue to dismantle what was once described as a flagship regeneration scheme.
The aerial photographs show large sections of the complex reduced to rubble. Piles of crushed concrete and exposed steel now dominate a site that opened to the public just over a decade ago.
Regent Circus launched in 2014 on the former Swindon College site as a £50 million retail and leisure development aimed at revitalising the town centre.
It included a Morrisons supermarket, restaurants, bars and a six-screen cinema.
Morrisons closed its store in 2019 with the loss of more than 100 jobs. Cineworld later shut its doors, followed by the gradual exit of other operators. By 2025, Nando’s was the only remaining active business.
The site was purchased in August 2025 by MCR Property Group.
The Manchester-headquartered firm acquires and redevelops sites across the UK and has previously described the Regent Circus buildings as no longer aligning with modern town-centre needs.
It has outlined a vision for a residential-led placemaking strategy, although no formal planning application for redevelopment has yet been submitted.
Industry reports have indicated that housing is likely to form a significant part of any future scheme, potentially alongside commercial and leisure uses.
The scale of clearance leaves one of the largest redevelopment plots in central Swindon exposed.
The land sits between the Brunel Centre and the railway corridor, making it one of the most prominent opportunity sites in the town.
Laura James, Shadow Chair for the Swindon Business Improvement District said:
“While it is disappointing to see such a modern development being demolished, this does create a major opportunity for a landmark town centre scheme that could genuinely redefine this part of Swindon. The scale and location of the site gives developers the chance to deliver something architecturally bold and ambitious.
However, it is crucial the redevelopment is not purely residential. There needs to be a meaningful mix of commercial, retail and leisure space alongside any housing if the town centre is going to remain vibrant and economically active for the long term.”
What replaces Regent Circus is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of Swindon town centre.
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