BUSINESSES in Cavendish Square believe they could be dying on their feet, having been kept in the dark about £8m redevelopment plans.

Tomorrow at midday one of the square's main supermarkets, Kwik Save, will cease trading in preparation for the changes.

And traders believe as each shop closes the area becomes more like a ghost town as shoppers go elsewhere.

They say they haven't heard a thing from the council or the developers so far this year and there is no date yet released for it all to kick off.

The Ring Coffee Bar has been in the square for 42 years but it now faces an uncertain future. Owner Gerry Williams said: "Most of the businesses around here would just like to know what is going on, as we haven't heard from the developers or the council in months.

"I rely a lot on passing trade but as each shop closes it means we face less and less business.

"I don't even know if we will be able to carry on when the changes happen as we will have to relocate to another unit but I don't know if I will be able to afford to.

"Cafes cost a whole lot more than shops to fit out and unless we get compensation for the move and loss of business we honestly don't know if we can afford to do this.

"Overall, I think the plans are a great idea and will really breathe some life into the area but I just wish they would hurry up and do it before we all die a death. It's just the not knowing that is painful."

Hemant Bhakta, who runs the Newsdesk newsagents, said: "We would just like to know what's going on. We rely on passing trade but we haven't heard a thing from the council or the developer in ages.

"We are obviously concerned that no one will use the shop now, especially with Kwik Save closing .

"As a business, we don't know what's going to happen and this is very worrying. The council should inform us so that we can make plans.

"The redevelopment is a good idea but we need to be better informed."

Chris Horsell runs Hair Care, which has been in the square since it was opened by his father Eric in 1963.

He said: "The redevelopment will be brilliant but I haven't heard from anyone to tell us what's going on.

"We're just staying open and waiting for the changes to take place. From what we understand the development will be phased so it will be a case of moving from these premises straight into a whole new unit.

"We don't rely on passing trade, so it won't affect our business."

Last autumn, the council got permission to carry out several compulsory purchase orders, forcing businesses to vacate the area.

The plans will see most of the buildings demolished with the central tower building being renovated. Most of the square's 27 shop units now lie empty as their owners wait for the redevelopment.

Adrian Barradell, the spokesman for Mid Counties Co-operative which runs the Co-op, said: "It's business as usual for the Co-op but we are in discussions with the local authority regarding the future of the square and our presence trading there."

A spokesman for the council said: "Swindon Council is moving towards finalising agreements for the regeneration of Cavendish Square.

"The council is committed to creating a regeneration scheme that will see homes built, the shopping area revamped and the school revitalised.

"Plans include a play area and a multi-use games area to be shared by the school and community, as well as refitting of the library.

"Through the project the council is fulfilling, in part, promise 39 of its Swindon 2010 commitments to redevelop a range of sites, including Cavendish Square.

"The community is at the heart of Swindon Council's scheme to redevelop Cavendish Square. As well as working with developers (both commercial and residential), the council has forged a partnership with Parks and East Walcot Neighbourhood Renewal Company.

"A further statement will be issued when the all the documentation is agreed."

The plans

The plans announced by developer Leehampton include:

  • The demolition of most of the existing shopping area
  • 174 homes
  • Improvements to Oaktree Primary School
  • A surgery
  • A garage
  • A covered mall, including a large supermarket
  • A refurbished car park

Shops were once seen as alternative to town centre

The story of Cavendish Square begins in 1955 when Swindon was rapidly developing and families from London were taking advantage of new jobs and opportunities by moving into Walcot.

The influx of residents sparked plans for commercial developments and Sussex Square was completed three years later.

Cavendish Square and shops in Marlowe Avenue quickly followed.

Both squares had covered shopping precincts to provide shelter.

As the Parks and Walcot estates were near local shops they were seen as an attractive alternative to living in the town centre.

Cavendish Square itself contained the Park Neighbourhood Centre opened by Lord Hastings on April 16, 1964 an event commemorated with a plaque.

In 1989 the plans were unveiled for a £1m facelift of the area, which had become run down.

It as completed in May 1992. The current plans were first mooted in 2003 but a developer was not found until the following year.

Residents in call for improved facilities

FOR the shoppers in Cavendish Square the plans for its future remain a mystery.

And despite using the square most days, they do not know what the future will hold.

Helen Walkley, 37, who has lived in Park North all her life, has not been informed about anything.

She said: "I haven't got the slightest clue about what is happening."

"I've heard there will be a Tesco Metro built but I believe the rebuilding of Cavendish Square won't change a thing, as this area is getting worse.

"There are a lot of kids dossing about and doing drugs. You can change the place, but you can't change the people."

Meanwhile another Park North resident, Lillian Key, 73, loves the new plan but also has not been informed about when it will take place.

"I like the plans, and would like some better shops, but I can't understand why it's taking so long," she said.

"All the shops are closing but nothing seems to be happening."

Allan Taggart, 25, and 17-year-old Kevin Kelly and Michael Trowsedale, would all like to see more for the young in Cavendish Square.

Allan said: "There's nothing for the youth to do here. There should be something like Laserquest or something.

"The young always get ignored, we need something like the Link Centre here , as there's nothing like that in this area."

Housewife Joanne John, of Park North, wants the area to have better shops.

She said: "It's good having the post office and supermarket here, but I would love to see some better shops that give it a bit of variation."