Trowbridge town centre regeneration welcomed by businesses

Chamber of commerce president Kez Garner says they herald “exciting times” for the town as developers and builders get on with projects to regenerate and improve Trowbridge.

Many of the major construction projects taking place are linked to the £16.3 million award from the government’s Future High Street Fund.

Mrs Garner said: “Exciting times. The town now seems to be full of scaffolding and builders, as the rest of the FHSF grants are being spent to renovate some of our heritage buildings and roads.

“Thank you to the team at Wiltshire Council and to the property investors of the town who are investing further in their own buildings to bring them back into use!

An announcement is likely to be made soon about the Castle Place shopping centre's new ownership (Image: Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce)

“There is a lot of regeneration activity going on in Trowbridge town centre at the moment as work to improve buildings, road, pavements and businesses gets underway.

“New businesses are moving into empty premises, pavements and public spaces are being improved, developers and local businesses are converting buildings into apartments and retail units to create exciting new creative and commercial opportunities.

“Much of this activity is as a result of the £16m Future High Street Fund and Vibrant Wiltshire Towns Grants, combined with several years of dedicated work by the Trowbridge Chamber behind the scenes, connecting start-ups and existing businesses with landlords, councils, developers and organisations, supporting grant applications and encouraging inward investment.

“Behind the scenes, many of us have been working hard to make all this happen!”

Wiltshire Council is working on Phase 3 of the scheme to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists across Trowbridge town centre.

It has already completed work on the Castle Street/Union Street junction and Castle Street and is now working on improvements to Fore Street, Manvers Street and Wicker Hill.

Another major project where work is progressing well is the £8.15m redevelopment, renovation and refurbishment of Trowbridge Town Hall.

Innox Mills is transforming this Georgian property into creatrive studios (Image: Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce)

In addition, some of the town’s larger vacant retail shops will be split up so they can be let to multiple tenants in a bid to get them back into use.

The former M&Co shop unit could be divided and let to new tenants. (Image: Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce)

Mrs Garner added: “Two of the largest vacant units – the former BHF and M&Co shops -  are being renovated, divided and rented out as smaller shops for independent businesses.

“The first of the Innox Mills buildings is to open soon as creative workspaces and the Town Bridge Garage is to be let as leisure and workspaces.

The former Town Bridge Garage is likely to be converted into leisure and work spaces to let (Image: Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce)

“The former Knees department store in Fore Street is being transformed into apartments on the upper floors with two retail or hospitality businesses on the ground floor.”

She added: “More news to come as new interesting independent businesses sign leases and plan to open this year.

“We also look forward to trees, benches and signage being installed in Fore Street and around the town centre.

“Please support our existing and local businesses and get in touch if you are wanting to bring your organisation here to join our very vibrant and friendly business community here.”

The Vibrant Wiltshire scheme run by Wiltshire Council has extended the deadline for grant applications to Monday, April 15.

The fund is offering grants of £1,000 to £10,000 to small businesses and start-ups to bring vacant ground-floor commercial spaces back into use.

The grants are available to transform empty units into new businesses offering services or creative, cultural and community uses on a permanent or temporary basis.

Anyone wanting more details should click here, email vibrant.wiltshire@wiltshire.gov.uk or contact info@trowbridgechamber.com.