MORE bad news is about to hit the town centre as the Starbucks in the Brunel Centre is set to close within the month.

Just as the chain’s first and only drive-thru opens in the town on Monday, one of its the biggest coffee shops in the town centre is understood to be closing on July 18. 

It is just one on the list of recent town centre closure announcements that includes Arcadia-owned branches of clothing stores, Wallis, Topshop and Dorothy Perkins, along with Argos. 
Managers at the shop were not prepared to comment to the Adver, but staff said they had been told it would be shutting down.

Dale Heenan, cabinet member for the town centre said: “This is the Starbucks next to Argos that will close soon, and the owners of the Brunel Centre will shortly be unveiling exciting plans for this whole area. 

“This includes the future use of these two shops.”

He added: “The High Street is changing, yet walk around the perimeter of the Brunel Centre, our town centre, and it is busy. 
“There is just one shop closed for refurbishment. The Outlet Centre continues to be as popular as ever, and Old Town remains the heart of our independent shops, restaurant and night life.”

The mayor of Swindon, Kevin Parry, will cut the ribbon for the new Starbucks drive-thru near Great Western Way on Monday. 

It was also revealed that the owners of The Brunel shopping centre are behind a project to transform the Canal Walk to liven up the nightlife. 

It could be turned into a European-style plaza of restaurants and bars, Swindon Borough Council have yet to confirm the plans but have praised the idea.

Although many shoppers were unhappy with this plan and wanted to see more greenery put in place for children and young people. 
Magic Brands Corp, which owns Starbucks UK, was approached for a comment on Thursday but none was received by the time the paper went to press last night.