Swindon town centre regeneration project back on track

The Regent Circus redevelopment project in Swindon will include shops, bars, restaurants and a cinema

A regeneration project in a Wiltshire town has taken a major step forward.

A plan for a supermarket, cinema and bar and restaurant complex on the former college site in Regent Circus in Swindon had been beset by delays.

The most recent hold-up came after developer Parkridge Retail Ltd, which was partnered with Ashfield Land on the project, went into liquidation.

Ashfield Land has acquired the scheme's remaining 50% of shares held by Parkridge and is pressing ahead.

Managing director Andrew Fisher said the deal was "excellent news."

He added: "It ends any uncertainty associated with the Regent Circus scheme and means we can now press ahead with the regeneration of a key area of Swindon town centre."

The £50m project, which has received detailed planning permission from Swindon Borough Council, will include a 52,000 sq ft Morrison's superstore, eight restaurants and bars, a 30,000 sq ft six-screen cinema and a 450-space car park.

The former Victorian technical college will be turned into offices.

Ask is the first national restaurant chain to lease a unit.

Work on demolishing the existing college buildings is expected to begin before the end of the year.