A NEW shopper shuttle bus will bring bargain hunters between the Outlet Centre and the town centre.

Launched by the inSwindon Business Improvement District Company, the free service will run for the first time on Saturday, continuing throughout the school holidays, until September 5.

It has been funded by the BID Company, on behalf of town centre businesses, and will enable visitors to both shopping hubs to extend their trip by taking the short ride between the two shopping areas.

It will pick up from the train station and stop off at various points around Swindon town centre, and the Swindon Designer Outlet.

Di Powell, inSwindon BID manager, said she hoped the scheme would become a permanent fixture for shoppers after the intial run.

“This is a first for Swindon," she said. 

"The shuttle will give visitors an opportunity that they’ve never had before to visit Swindon’s town centre as part of their trip to the Designer Outlet, allowing them to visit a range of independent retailers, high street brands, the Brunel Shopping Centre, and the exciting new leisure and restaurant complex, Regent Circus.

"We are also hoping that this six-week pilot could lead to a regular free service in the future”.

The initiative led by inSwindon brings together the Designer Outlet, STEAM and Thamesdown Transport, and aims to encourage more visitor spend throughout the town, and help draw more people into the centre of Swindon to shop and eat. 

The free Shopper Shuttle is open to all and will run every 20 minutes, seven days a week, between 10am and 6pm.

All passengers will be offered a temporary Swindon Loyalty Card for them to take advantage of all the exclusive offers available in town centre retailers.

The route is a loop from Kemble Drive at the Swindon Designer Outlet - Farnsby Street (for The Brunel) - Regent Circus - Fleming Way (for shops at The Parade, including the new H&M) – Swindon Train Station – and finally Swindon Designer Outlet.

Mrs Powell added: “We are delighted to be providing a free Shuttle connecting Swindon’s heritage quarter with the town centre.

"We want to improve links between the outlet and the town centre amenities during the summer holidays and the Shuttle will enable visitors to travel conveniently between the two shopping destinations.

"We are really pleased to be working in partnership with Thamesdown Transport, McArthurGlen and STEAM.”

Tina Cumpstey, centre manager of the McArthurGlen Swindon Designer Outlet, said: “The Swindon Designer Outlet is pleased to be working with inSwindon BID (Business Improvement District) to extend the shopping experience for those visiting Swindon.

"We are delighted to welcome the addition of the free shopper shuttle service linking the designer outlet with the town centre and the train station throughout the summer holidays.

"With the recent re-launch of our new £40 million Long Shop mall, the complimentary service will be a real added bonus for customers visiting Swindon giving them a superior shopping experience. 

"We look forward to welcoming plenty of customers who want to enjoy the fantastic offerings and great restaurants within our Grade-II listed centre.”

Paul Jenkins, managing director of Thamesdown Transport, has been working closely with inSwindon to provide the bus service.

He said: “Thamesdown is delighted to be working with inSwindon to deliver this innovative project and we very much hope that the free bus link will help the many visitors who come to the Designer Outlet to also enjoy the town centre’s leisure and shopping attractions."