Swindon Isn't Unique

What they do well:

The 'Turner Contemporary' gallery project, which acted as a catalyst for the regeneration of the wider town centre.

What Swindon could learn:

Using a single high-profile cultural anchor to shift the perception and economic trajectory of a town.

Source: Thanet District Council Regeneration Case Studies

What they do well:

The 'Hastings Pier' community-led restoration project, which saved a historic asset through community ownership.

What Swindon could learn:

Exploring community-led ownership models for historic or underused town centre assets.

Source: Hastings Borough Council Regeneration Case Studies

What they do well:

The 'Freshney Place' leisure scheme, which involves repurposing a shopping centre to include a cinema and market hall.

What Swindon could learn:

Repurposing failing retail malls into mixed-use leisure and community hubs.

Source: North East Lincolnshire Council Town Centre Masterplan

What they do well:

The 'Creative Quarter' project, which transformed a neglected area into a hub for artists and independent businesses.

What Swindon could learn:

Using low-cost studio space to attract creative talent and revitalise neglected parts of the town centre.

Source: Folkestone & Hythe District Council Regeneration Strategy

What they do well:

The 'Burnley Bondholders' scheme, a partnership between the council and local businesses to drive investment.

What Swindon could learn:

Building a formalised network of local business leaders to champion town centre investment and growth.

Source: Burnley Council Economic Development Plan

What they do well:

The 'Better Places' project, which focused on high-quality public realm and pedestrianisation of the city centre.

What Swindon could learn:

Investing in high-quality materials and street furniture to create a more welcoming and accessible public realm.

Source: Plymouth City Council Public Realm Strategy

What they do well:

The 'Galleries' redevelopment, replacing an outdated shopping centre with a mixed-use scheme including homes, a hotel, and a multi-media centre.

What Swindon could learn:

Diversifying town centre use by replacing retail-only space with residential and leisure-led mixed-use developments.

Source: Wigan Council Regeneration Strategy

What they do well:

The 'Creative Colchester' initiative, supporting the growth of the digital and creative industries in the town centre.

What Swindon could learn:

Providing dedicated workspace and support networks for creative and digital startups in vacant units.

Source: Colchester City Council Economic Strategy

What they do well:

The 'Danum Gallery, Library and Museum' project, which consolidated public services into a high-quality town centre building.

What Swindon could learn:

Co-locating community services to increase footfall and provide multi-functional public spaces.

Source: Doncaster Council Regeneration Projects

What they do well:

The 'City of Culture' legacy, which used major events to drive public realm investment and community pride.

What Swindon could learn:

Using cultural bidding and programming as a catalyst for long-term infrastructure and public realm improvements.

Source: Hull City Council City of Culture Legacy Report

What they do well:

The 'Altrincham Market' revitalisation, which transformed a failing market hall into a high-quality food and social hub.

What Swindon could learn:

Using independent, high-quality food and beverage operators to create a unique 'destination' experience.

Source: Local Government Association Revitalising Town Centres Toolkit

What they do well:

The 'Bury Market' management, which maintains a high-performing, traditional market as a key town centre anchor.

What Swindon could learn:

Investing in the management and promotion of traditional markets as a primary driver of town centre footfall.

Source: Bury Council Market Strategy

What they do well:

Council-led acquisition and development of stalled retail sites to bring in anchor tenants like Morrisons and leisure facilities.

What Swindon could learn:

Direct council intervention in purchasing town centre assets to unlock stalled private sector developments.

Source: Local Government Association (Kirkby town centre regeneration)

What they do well:

The 'Stockton Waterfront' project, which involves demolishing redundant shopping centres to create a large riverside park and event space.

What Swindon could learn:

Prioritising public realm and green space over struggling retail footprints to increase footfall.

Source: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Regeneration Plans

What they do well:

Norwich is known for its thriving market and independent retail scene, which is supported by the council through dedicated infrastructure and promotion. The market remains a central hub for local commerce and community activity.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could learn to better support and promote its own market and independent retail sector to boost local economic activity.

Source: Revitalising town centres (Local Government Association)

What they do well:

Northampton has focused on the proactive use of land assembly and master-planning to revitalize its town centre. By working closely with stakeholders, they have successfully repurposed vacant retail units for new uses.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could learn to be more proactive in land assembly and stakeholder engagement to address vacant units in its own town centre.

Source: Revitalising town centres (Local Government Association)

What they do well:

Reading has successfully leveraged its status as a major transport hub to attract significant investment and high-value employment. It maintains a strong, vibrant town centre by balancing large-scale retail with high-quality office and residential developments.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could learn how to better capitalize on its own rail connectivity to create a high-value business and residential district around the station.

Source: Swindon Retail and Main Town Centre Uses Needs Study

What they do well:

Telford has successfully integrated large-scale green spaces directly into its town centre, creating a 'park-like' feel that encourages longer dwell times. This approach improves the environmental quality and attractiveness of the urban core.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could learn to incorporate more green infrastructure and 'green spines' into its town centre to improve the pedestrian experience.

Source: Swindon Town Centre Masterplan (Allies and Morrison)

What they do well:

Milton Keynes is renowned for its extensive grid-based cycling infrastructure and green corridors that separate pedestrians from heavy traffic. This design prioritizes active travel and creates a highly accessible urban environment.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could adopt similar segregated cycling and walking infrastructure to improve safety and connectivity between its residential areas and the town centre.

Source: Swindon Borough Council Local Plan Transport Vision Paper

What they do well:

Gloucester has established the UK Digital Retail Innovation Centre (UK:DRIC) to test and develop future city technologies. This initiative helps the city adapt to changing shopping habits by integrating digital solutions into the retail environment.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could learn to embrace digital innovation as a core component of its regeneration strategy rather than viewing retail changes solely as a threat.

Source: Revitalising town centres (Local Government Association)

What they do well:

Bristol excels in community-led regeneration and the promotion of independent retail clusters that give the city a unique cultural identity. It effectively uses its historic assets to create vibrant, mixed-use spaces that attract both locals and tourists.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could learn to better highlight its own unique heritage and support independent businesses to create a more distinct town centre character.

Source: Town centre regeneration (Commons Library Research Briefing)

What they do well:

Cheltenham is highly effective at using its cultural and festival-based economy to drive footfall into the town centre. It maintains a high-quality public realm that supports a thriving evening economy.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could learn to use culture-led regeneration, such as its art gallery collection, to create a more diverse evening and leisure economy.

Source: Swindon Town Centre Masterplan (Allies and Morrison)

What they do well:

Basingstoke has invested in modernizing its shopping and leisure facilities to create a consolidated, weather-protected retail experience. This has helped the town maintain its status as a regional shopping destination.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could learn to consolidate its retail offer to create a more focused and attractive shopping destination.

Source: Swindon Retail and Main Town Centre Uses Needs Study

What they do well:

Ipswich has focused on waterfront regeneration to create a new, vibrant district that complements the traditional town centre. This has successfully attracted new residential and leisure investment to the area.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could learn to identify and develop underutilized areas, such as its railway station surroundings, into new mixed-use districts.

Source: Town centre regeneration (Commons Library Research Briefing)

What they do well:

Oxford manages high levels of pedestrian traffic through effective traffic management and the promotion of sustainable transport. It successfully balances the needs of a historic city with modern commercial and educational requirements.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could learn to better manage traffic flow and prioritize pedestrian-friendly zones in its central retail core.

Source: Swindon Central Area Action Plan

What they do well:

Exeter has focused on high-quality public realm improvements that prioritize pedestrian experience and historic preservation. The city successfully integrates modern retail with its medieval heritage, creating a cohesive and attractive environment.

What Swindon could learn:

Swindon could learn to prioritize the quality of its public realm and the restoration of historic buildings to improve the overall visitor experience.

Source: Swindon Town Centre Masterplan (Allies and Morrison)