Our County Town

[Clevercat]

http://shirescentre.co.uk/

A PROJECT to bring a cinema and bowling alley complex to Trowbridge is expected to move a step forward at a meeting on Wednesday.

West Wiltshire District Council's cabinet is expected to give its officers the go-ahead to team up with Wiltshire County Council to finalise details of the project, which could see a full planning application for phase one submitted by the end of October.

Much anticipated by the people of the town, the £90m regeneration project is a joint project between the councils and chosen developers Modus.

It is planned to include a new library, eight-screen cinema, bowling complex, hotel, homes, offices, cafes and restaurants.

If district councillors agree to the proposals, planning officers will have permission to forge ahead with Modus and the county council to agree a final development plan, which would see the council's land in Court Street submitted into the scheme.

Economic portfolio holder Cllr Michael Mounde and a relevant director or chief executive will also get delegated powers to sign the final agreement on behalf of the council.

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The plans, outlined in a report to the cabinet, refer to the River Biss as a focal point for the scheme, with a new river basin, pedestrian bridge and outdoor waterfront performance area.

Developers Modus have been asked to create a pedestrian link through the new complex direct to County Hall as well as a new bridge over the river to St Stephen's Place.

The document also specifies the use of high quality design for lighting, planting, and a good quality finish to the surfaces and floors of the buildings. Space for public art must be included and plenty of parking, as well as the 15,000sq ft library and a landscaped garden, a café adjoining the entrance and disabled parking.

Outline planning consent was granted in 2006 but a final detailed application must be submitted soon. This will be done in two phases.

The current library, register office, union offices and other council buildings between Bythesea Road and the river will be demolished to make room for the complex.

It is hoped the plans will get final approval in March 2008, with work on the library to begin in April and the new library due to open in May 2009.

Work on the hotel, cinema and bowling alleys will start in August 2009, with the aim of the complex being opened to the public in October 2010, with the scheme completely finished in December 2010.

On October 12 Modus is holding a public exhibition in the existing library in Mortimer Street, Trowbridge.

Between 10am-6pm people will be able to look at the plans, see artist's impressions of the new development, ask questions about the project and make comments to Modus representatives.

The exhibition will also provide answers to some of the questions raised by members of the public at the West Wilts Show in July.

Wilt Times

[Clevercat]

THE names of some of the companies that will occupy the new Waterside development in Trowbridge have been announced today.

Pizza Express, 1950s themed restaurant Frankie & Benny's, upmarket Chinese cuisine restaurant The Real China and a Brewers Fayre pub are all confirmed to take some of the retail space.

The hotel at the £90m regeneration project in Bythesea Road is going to be run by the UK's biggest hotel chain Premier Travel Inn.

Jamie Bunce, the developer looking after the project for Modus, said: "It's good to see these big names signing up for the Waterside development. We are in discussion with companies about all but six of the units so we are on track."

Modus, which is working with Wiltshire Council and West Wiltshire District Council to pull off the project, has launched a website for people to keep up to date with the latest movements on the site. Visit www.watersidetrowbridge.co.uk/

Wilt Times

[Clevercat]

These plans can only be a positive in my opinion. Our County Town does not have much to offer as it is, although the Shires offers a good range of shops, but the Town has huge potential.

 

[myangel]

me too.... anything is an improvement on what we have now.... i voiced my views on the wt's site as well.... one stuck up person said she was disappointed because the shops were all down market and not  up to monsoon's  reputation.... who the hell can afford monsoon prices all the time... very special occasions then fair enough...... if you can afford those inflated prices then you can afford to shop further afield.... the shops listed and the premier travel inn/brewers fayre pub are good.... i have been in premier inn and the brewers fayre on many occasions and have always found them to be nice places and do pleasent food...EXPENSIVE is not always the best
i would imagine that shops and amenities that we can all use ( not just the few richer ones) is better for our local area.....
bigger...better and posher has never impressed me much


 i cant wait to go bowling ( never been) and cinema ( 10 yrs ago  before that 25 yrs ago ) so these new things can only be an asset to trowbridge, westbury, warminster ad surrounding villages surely

[Slow Joe]

Sorry to disagree Myangel, but I think that Trowbridge caters very well for the budget shopping market at the moment - the likes of Wilkinsons, New Look, BeeWise, Peacocks, Select. They are all very popular and are clearly flourishing.

There is, however, a real demand for some more quality shops in Trowbridge. I understand that Monsoon is one of their flagship stores nationally, being one of the top earners and think this demonstrates how hungry some people locally are for good quality shops without having to travel to Bath or Salisbury. M&S Simply Food is also packed everytime I call in.

I am not saying they should all be budget or all be expensive but I think a mix is required. At the moment there is little for the higher end of the market.

But I do agree that bowling and cinema would be fantastic!   

[LONDONER]

If TROWBRIDGE is so good why is the Ushers bottling site still empty, it's a "Brown field" site as they call them one that has been used before there should be houses or flats on there I have been in this place for five and a half years and it was being cleared when we came here, and it's still empty WHY?

[Pete]

If TROWBRIDGE is so good why is the Ushers bottling site still empty, it's a "Brown field" site as they call them one that has been used before there should be houses or flats on there I have been in this place for five and a half years and it was being cleared when we came here, and it's still empty WHY?

There are plans afoot, just gotta get them through the planners....

Pete

[Clevercat]

HE latest designs for the Waterside development in Trowbridge went on show in the town library today.

A scale model of the project was set up for locals, featuring an eight-screen Vue cinema, Bowlplex bowling alley, restaurants including Frankie & Bennys and Pizza Express, a 60-bed hotel and residential flats.

A new library is included in the plans and will see the tired and run-down Bythesea Road building demolished and a large modern replacement built on the other side of the river.

A team from the preferred developer for the site, Modus, was on hand to meet members of the public and answer their questions.

Jamie Bunce, development manager, said: "It's been very busy so far and we have had lots of questions from locals.

"They are mostly keen for work to get started because they have been waiting for so something like this in the town for a while. All the feedback on the look and feel of the design has been positive.
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"I have been pointing out the new pedestrian bridge and open space which we feel is the heart of the development and the responses have been good.

"The library service staff have been really proactive in helping us and they are looking forward to taking over in their new facility, which we hope to start building in the spring next year."

One visitor, Barrie Noakes, from Trowbridge thinks the Waterside project is a step in the right direction.

The 69-year-old pensioner said: "It's not going to be easy to make the river look attractive, as there is not as much water in it as there once was but the overall design of the development is very impressive. Let's just hope this thing happens."

The planning application for the development is due to be submitted to the district planning authority within the next month.

It is yet to be approved by the district council but is not expected to encounter any obstacles as the project has broad political support. The final completion date for every aspect of the development is 2010.

Visit www.watersidetrowbridge.co.uk for more information.  ''Wilt Times''

[Clevercat]

LADIES only fitness centre, dance studio, hairdressing salon, and beauty parlour Obsessions TLC is holding a charity night to raise money for the Royal United Hospital's Forever Friends Appeal.

The company, in Sycamore Grove, Trowbridge, has organised the event to take place in the Civic Hall on December 1. Tickets cost £10.

On the night there will be live music from Local Heroes Inc, pole dance performances from members, a charity raffle, lots of Christmas present ideas from local business exhibitors and entertainment from a male dancer.

Tickets are on sale now at Obsessions TLC. Call (01225) 767650) or (01373) 858207.

Lisa Henderson from Obsessions TLC said: "All our charity events are done in memory of Annie Mead, a dear friend of the owner of TLC Sue Dodd.

"All the profits go to the RUH Forever Friends Appeal, which helps buy extra equipment to help all sorts of patients at the hospital."

WT

[hermes2007]

I usually just read the great posts here but though I think it is great that Trowbridge will have this money spent on it, I wish some of that development money could be spread around a bit. Westbury people are doing their best and its good to see things like the Market Square proposals but Westbury urgently needs more facilities and attractions. I've been personally very impressed with what Frome has managed to achieve with some innovative ideas but obviously some cash being spent too. Westbury is a great place to live but needs a shot in the arm and more development money and ideas.

[Bob De'Bilda]

I believe there will be money to spend on Westbury town centre when/if the bypass gets the go ahead.

[Clevercat]

From the Wiltshire Times

THE Polish language was heard echoing around the council chamber during a meeting of West Wiltshire District Council last week.

Cllr Linda Conley gave a statement in Polish, which is not her native tongue, in answer to a question put to her as cabinet member for the environment.

At the full council meeting at the district council offices in Bradley Road, Trowbridge, on November 21, Cllr Terry Chivers laid down the following question. He asked: "How much did it cost to put up signs in Polish in Trowbridge Park and has West Wiltshire District Council put them up elsewhere?"

His question refers to new signs that have appeared in Trowbridge Town Park over the last few months.

They warn Polish people in their own language not to litter or make a mess of the park and some also warn about the upcoming restrictions on drinking alcohol in the park.

Trowbridge police are to be given new powers, which will enable them to confiscate alcohol or move drinkers on if they are behaving in an anti social manner.

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Although Cllr Chivers did not attend the meeting to put the question in person, Cllr Conley gamely responded entirely in Polish.

She said: "Calkowity koszt znakow wyniosl £875 (£60) zaumieszczenie zmakow. Zadme inna znaki nie zostaly ustawione."

This translates roughly as: "The cost of the signs was £875 plus £60 set up costs. No other signs have been put up."

She received a round of applause from councillors for her efforts, the like of which have not been seen before in the chamber.

Cllr Chivers believes the initiative should be a low priority for the council and that the authority should focus its efforts on other projects instead.

Town councillor Bob Brice said: "Cllr Chivers has missed the point somewhat on this occasion. The signs are for the benefit of the Polish community, to make them aware of their responsibilities as members of the community of Trowbridge.

"If everyone is equally aware of the obligations they have when using the park, which is a space to be enjoyed by everyone, they will understand why they are being targeted when they abuse the facility. Anyone who uses anti-social behaviour in the park will be treated in the same way."

[Templeton]

Couldn't they have just put them up in English? I can't read Polish.

[Monica Reyes]

Couldn't they have just put them up in English? I can't read Polish.

Quite!

[al]

The signs are also up in English too I believe. However, since people seem to feel much of the trouble in the park is caused by Poles, the council took the view that by putting them up in Polish it would help reassure people that they are tackling the issue. Makes perfect sense.