Projects

What we are planning to do in each area.

Whole BID area

  • Buying power for your business

    Explore a purchasing consortium for energy, waste and other services, using our collective buying power to seek better deals and measure the savings businesses receive.

  • Connected businesses, faster reporting

    Develop a shared communication system linking businesses and venues with the street team and agreed council, CCTV and police contacts, helping reports reach the right people quickly.

  • Bring landlords around the table

    Create a landlords’ forum to identify priority vacant premises, discuss the businesses each area needs and work together to attract suitable operators.

  • Give visitors more reasons to explore

    Help set up a wider tourism group, connecting BID businesses with Swindon’s attractions, heritage organisations and visitor groups to develop joint promotion and visitor experiences.

  • A stronger identity for our places

    Develop a public-facing brand to bring our promotion together, while celebrating the distinct character of Old Town, the Town Centre, Railway Quarter and North Star.

Town Centre

  • A visible team for a safer centre

    Develop a dedicated town centre street team, with a clear remit to support businesses, address problems early and work with the council and police on persistent antisocial behaviour.

  • Bring the big screen back to life

    Explore replacing the former BBC Big Screen with a platform for screenings, local business advertising and content from local producers, supported by a viable operating and revenue model.

  • More reasons to visit

    Develop a town centre entertainment programme that complements Old Town’s calendar, with activities designed to attract visitors and encourage them to explore local businesses.

  • Reward shopping locally

    Explore a town centre discount scheme, taking inspiration from Friends of Old Town, with participating businesses offering benefits to encourage repeat visits and local spending.

  • A fresh food destination beside the Savoy

    Explore a street food and drink destination on the site beside the Savoy, working with the landowner and operators to create opportunities for local businesses and bring fresh activity to the area.

  • Reimagine the town centre

    Bring architects, urban planners, businesses and local partners together to develop practical ideas for priority streets and spaces, identifying projects the BID can help move forward.

Old Town

  • Put Old Town in the spotlight

    Expand Old Town’s marketing and social media across Swindon and the surrounding area, with campaigns for food and drink, retail, leisure and professional services.

  • Cleaner streets, better support

    Support additional street cleaning, improved street team coverage and stronger communication between Old Town venues, with particular attention to the evening and night-time economy.

  • Better streets for Old Town

    Push forward the Victoria Road, Wood Street and High Street public realm proposals, working with the council on feasibility, funding and delivery, alongside smaller improvements such as planting.

North Star & Railway Quarter

  • Better connections across Swindon

    Work with major employers and local partners to improve walking links between North Star, the Railway Quarter, the Outlet and Town Centre, including exploring improvements to the connecting tunnel.