THE face of Melksham town centre looks set to change after a draft action plan was drawn up by urban designers.

Melksham First appointed Colin Davis Associates to look at a raft of issues, including the look and feel of the town centre as well as improvements for the short, medium and long term. Town councillors in Melksham will take a look at the plan on Monday night.

Among short term suggestions in the draft report includes the relocation of the taxi rank in Market Place to make way for a weekly market or farmers market.

Long term suggestions include building a glass roof over the Avon Place Shopping Centre while the plan encourages early consideration of moorings, a quay and riverside cafes for the River Avon, if plans to bring the Wilts and Berks Canal into Melksham go ahead.

The town council will discuss the plans at a meeting in Melksham Town Hall at 7pm on Monday.

SHORT TERM:

  • Refurbish bus stops and replace bollards and cycle racks in Market Place
  • Cut down on the number of A-boards used by shops
  • Improve signage across the town centre
  • Makeover for open space near Somerfield footpath, leading from Bath Road

MEDIUM TERM:

  • Redesign the front of Blockbuster Video in Market Place
  • Reinstate lost archway at Melksham Town Hall
  • Improve footpaths to Labour Club buildings and leading behind Natwest Bank
  • Move parking spaces in Market Place to King Street car park

LONG TERM:

  • Maintain original cobbles at the front of the Bear pub car park in Bath Road
  • Redevelop Avon Place Shopping Centre, with possible glass roof
  • Develop the former Kwik Save site
  • Pathway linking any housing development behind the Bear pub to Sainsbury's