Trowbridge and Salisbury town centres a step closer to investment boost

Over £25 million investment for Salisbury and Trowbridge town centres has moved a step closer as Wiltshire Council's Cabinet unanimously agreed this week (2 February 2021) to progress the government's offers of funding.

The council had provisionally been awarded £16,347,056 for Trowbridge and £9,355,731 for Salisbury following bids to the government's Future High Streets Fund. These offers of funding represent up to 69% of the total amounts bid for to help revitalise the two town centres.

Richard Clewer, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: "This significant investment in two of our main town centres is very welcomed especially at a time when our high streets are facing so many challenges. We recognise this isn't the full amount we bid for, but we are committed to delivering these transformational projects and rejuvenate the town centres."

The projects proposed in Trowbridge focus on improving connections into the town centre, transforming the gateway experience by bringing more leisure, residential and cultural activity into the area and making better use of vacant units to enable a diverse and sustainable mix of uses within the heart of the town centre.

In Salisbury, the projects include a redesign of station forecourt making it more attractive and accessible for visitors and residents and improvements to the road network and public spaces along Fisherton Street which connects the station to Salisbury's retail centre, where a number of apartments will be created to encourage the use of vacant upper floors.

The council will now produce a technical update showing that the proposed projects for Trowbridge and Salisbury can be delivered within the funding levels offered, and still meet the benefit/cost ratio and other requirements, for submission to the government by 26 February 2021.