Councillor Jim Robbins has written to property owners in Fleet Street and Bridge Street to encourage them to engage with a long-term improvement project.
It follows the recent opening of the new bus interchange and public space at Fleming Way, which the Council hopes will act as a catalyst for further investment in the area.
The local authority’s Inward Investment team has already started working with key stakeholders and some landlords to plan improvements, with a focus on increasing footfall and restoring the area’s appeal.
Proposals include enhancing pedestrian spaces with street art, new planters, refreshed paving and upgraded lighting.
The Council believes meaningful progress will depend on buy-in from all landowners.
Several property owners have already expressed support and are involved in the early planning stages. Others are being urged to engage and have been invited to a forthcoming workshop where more detailed plans will be shared.
Councillor Robbins said:
“This area of Swindon used to be a bustling location with a popular outdoor market and we want to try and bring it back to life.
“Over the last few years, many of the local businesses have closed and its reputation has suffered as a result.
“We want to change all that and lay the building blocks for Fleet Street and Bridge Street to have a brighter future which people want to spend time and enjoy themselves.
“The team have been working hard to deliver improvements to the area and I’m really hoping landowners in the area will engage with us to accelerate its regeneration.
“I recently described how we want the area to be an Instagrammable location, promoting local art and cultural organisations and we’ve made a great start with some of our creative talents already engaged in projects we intend to get off the ground in the coming months.
“There’s only so much we can do to improve the public realm, which is why we need help from the private owners of the land and buildings to fully regenerate this underappreciated area of the town centre.”
The council’s regeneration plans form part of a broader vision to reinvigorate central Swindon and attract more residents and visitors to the area.
