The property in question was once a Next and played a role in the economy of Swindon’s town centre. However, since the departure of the chain from the building during the summer of 2014, it has not proved possible to obtain another retailer as a tenant.
The vacancy in Regent Street may now be filled by an eatery. Printing services within Swindon may be used to attract a business willing to run a restaurant or a café. Those who own the building produced a report for the relevant planning committee and it said:
“Since the previous occupiers of the building vacated the premises, the building has been actively marketed without significant interest. It is recognised that the nature of retailing has gone through a sea change in recent years with an increasingly significant proportion of purchases made online.”
While ordinary retailers in the area have been perceived as having a tough time on the high street, there has been a lot of activity by food-based enterprises within the centre of Swindon. Regents Circus has witnessed several restaurant openings in the recent past. Meanwhile, an application has been made to the planning committee in relation to a plan to create five more eateries in a currently tented area. Further, the rush to food has also been evident at Canal Walk.