Facelift for Brunel Centre (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Facelift for Brunel Centre
8:10am Thursday 14th August 2008 in News
An artist's impression of the Brunel Centre's new canopy
THE Brunel Centre is to be given a £1.5m facelift.
A scheme to fit a striking new canopy has been unveiled, and designers promise it will play a major role in the regeneration of the town centre.
Work has now started to replace the ageing canopy around the centre.
It is being replaced by a modern glass and cantilever steel structure.
The work is due to finish just before the Christmas shopping rush.
Nick Beaumont-Jones, director of the Brunel Centre, said the new centre would be a real eye-catcher.
He said: “It’s an exciting project and I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished product.
“It’s going to have a big impact. It will be a vast improvement on what we have at the moment and I think shoppers are going to be impressed.
“It’s going to transform the town centre.”
Mr Beaumont-Jones was keen to reassure shoppers that they would not be inconvenienced by the work.
He said: “All the work is being done overnight, so only there will only be a small amount of disruption to late-night revellers.
“But the worst of that is already passed. During the daytime I doubt shoppers will notice there is any work going on unless they are looking for it.”
It is due to be finished by the end of November but Nick warned that the work be at the mercy of the elements.
He said: “We have had some hiccups, mainly due to the weather, but we hope to be finished on time.”
During the replacement work the Jubilee Clock at the crossroads of Regent Street and Canal Walk will be out of action.
InSwindon chief executive Mark Ross said: “Removal of the old canopy will be a very careful operation and it will first be necessary to remove power supplies to the clock, which presently runs from canopy uprights.
“For safety reasons the cables have to be disconnected before any work can take place.”
The clock, which was unveiled by the Duke of Edinburgh in 2003, will be switched off for approximately six weeks.
Comments(8)
komadori
says...
8:34am Thu 14 Aug 08
So it's a bog-standard canopy, as seen on the buildings opposite the Brunel Centre in Canal Walk (and if you don't believe me, look at the planning application rather than the artist's impression).
Certainly, the new canopy will be an improvement on the existing one, but 'a real eye-catcher' that will 'transform the town centre'? I don't think so.
Psychotic Sid
says...
9:59am Thu 14 Aug 08
.
It makes me sick to here all this nonsense about improving Swindon centre - it's been dragging on for years. I live close to Swindon, but work in Bristol and it's staggering to see what they have achieved in their centre in little under 2 years, the domed roof is simply class. Come on Swindon, sort the centre out. You're never going to bring in visitors/investment with a new "canopy" - what rubbish.
Big Mac
says...
10:41am Thu 14 Aug 08
This is barely sticking a band-aid over the festering wound that is Swindon town centre.
johnmurraytennant
says...
11:52am Thu 14 Aug 08
Oik1
says...
1:09pm Thu 14 Aug 08
I'm sure the resident pigeons will appreciate it.
How about a few more open shops inside instead of the boarded up fronts.
Swindon Town centre still a place to avoid
yeti
says...
3:55pm Thu 14 Aug 08
i think a new canopy will improve the area for sure.but i'd like to see the dirty unwashed,chavs,gothi
c freaks,and vicky pollard lookalikes be moved on. they all are chuffing away on their cancer sticks and make the place look untidy.
Captain T
says...
8:23pm Thu 14 Aug 08
Swindon born n bred
says...
1:57pm Fri 15 Aug 08
I was really surprised at how light and airy it felt - especially since you can still make a comparison, with half of the canopy still in place.
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