Swindon shoppers label town centre as ‘ghost town’

It was revealed in September that Wilko would shut with the town centre and Greenbridge Retail & Leisure Park stores permanently closing later that month.

Marks & Spencer also announced in August that the company was consulting staff over closing its two-floor Regent Street store.

In addition to these household name losses to the town, the Brunel Shopping Centre is also littered with empty units and other closed shops.

Wilko closed its doors permanently in September. (Image: Newsquest)

Kerry Morgan was born in Swindon and feels like there is a lot of wasted space in the town centre.

“The town centre is atrocious and it is very rare that I even come to town nowadays,” she said.

“We have got nothing here and it’s poor that the Brunel is so empty because it could be really nice in there.”

The 37-year-old rarely chooses to shop in her hometown now and sees nearby towns and cities as more viable alternatives.

The Brunel Shopping Centre is home to many empty units. (Image: Newsquest)

“If you look at Reading, Bath, Bristol and even Oxford have so much compared to us in Swindon,” said Kerry.

“I would rather travel now to do my shopping because we haven’t got a lot of shops left here.

“Wilkos leaving was a shame as lots of people used them but now more people are moving online.

"Services like Amazon deliver straight to your door so it is easier to get it delivered for most people.”

Theresa Cronin from Birmingham has lived in the town for ten years and believes that the high street here is on the decline.

A former furniture shop in the Brunel Shopping Centre. (Image: Newsquest)

“Everywhere is empty and there was a lot more when I first came here but all that is left on one side of the Brunel is the gym,” she said.

“I was shocked to see Wilkos had gone, it’s horrible, and I went there an awful lot but it’s online shopping which is causing it."

The 57-year-old believes that the lack of shops brings with it safety problems aside from an economical point of view.

“I do not feel safe in the Brunel now there are so many empty shops because you really don’t want to be in here at nighttime and it feels a bit weird,” added Theresa.

Another empty unit in the shopping centre. (Image: Newsquest)

One topic in particular that Swindon shoppers were keen to raise was the £33m bus boulevard project.

Redevelopment work has been going on at Fleming Way throughout the year with Corporation Street closing too in recent months.

This is all so that the new bus station and surrounding area could be constructed as part of Swindon Borough Council’s aim to renovate the town.

“I think the money on the bus boulevard is a waste because realistically when we have no shops in town and people aren’t coming here, what is the point of that,” said Kerry.

One shopper spoke of how she feels unsafe inside the Brunel. (Image: Newsquest)

“I remember being a kid and coming to town with my mum and there was more than there is now so I don’t even bring my kids to town.

“People will not come to Swindon as we don’t have anything like Bristol and Reading.

"Even the other shops have now moved to Greenbridge so what do we need to come to town for.”

Theresa added: “I feel like most of the money spent on the new bus boulevard coming in should have been used on the town.

“People are going to come in, see it and think that it’s nice but walk into town and realise that it is a ghost town.”