Update on Swindon town centre regeneration project

In September 2025, the council published a six-month progress report on its town centre regeneration project, setting out plans to boost investment and to attract more visitors to the town centre.

The plans included the demolition of the old bus station at Kimmerfields to make way for a new £45 million entertainment venue, the transformation of Fleming Way into a new bus boulevard and plans to revamp the Fleet Street and Bridge Street areas of town.

Now, in September 2026, the £33 million bus boulevard has been open for a year and has received a positive response from residents.

The old bus station was demolished at the start of 2026, but the Kimmerfields site currently remains empty, though there are plans being considered for a transformational theatre and concert venue with a 2,000‑capacity.

Kimmerfields site over 6 months after the old bus station was demolished (Image: Jason Spickett)

While there are no approved plans for the site yet, the council said the area is being prepared for future development opportunities. Swindon borough council have also received a £20m funding boost from the UK Government to help with the cost, which is predicted to be around £45 million.

Many of the buildings on Fleet Street have hoardings in front of them and appear visibly run down, including the Burton Building, also known as the Poirot Building, which according to the original plans for the area was going to be converted into flats.

But the council has said that "bringing improvements to Fleet and Bridge Street is high on the agenda".

Read more: Fresh hope for plans to transform neglected areas of Swindon

Verdict on Fleming Way bus station year after transformation

Councillor Matthew Vallender, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for culture, planning and regeneration, said: “The new administration is absolutely committed to making the town centre a more vibrant place to live, work, visit and invest. We have continued to make progress across a number of key regeneration projects.

Hoardings covering the fronts of buildings on Fleet Street (Image: Lydia Barnes)

“We are engaging with national venue operators and builders on proposals for a new town centre entertainment venue following the Government’s offer of £20m in funding. Further reports will be brought forward for consideration by councillors in due course.

"The project will proceed if this engagement produces a robust business case which demonstrates it is financially viable and delivers clear benefits for residents and the wider town centre.

“At Kimmerfields, we are carrying out further groundworks following the demolition of the former bus station to prepare the site for future development opportunities, while work continues with the Government and partners to secure investment in major projects such as Knowledge Central around the railway station.

"The completion of the latest phase of restoration work at both the Carriage Works and the Health Hydro are other important milestones."

He added: “Elsewhere, we are supporting businesses with plans for a new Business Improvement District covering both the town centre and Old Town, progressing funding opportunities for public realm and greening improvements in Fleet Street, supporting a range of events and activities in the town centre, and seeing continued interest from office occupiers looking to locate in Swindon.

“Altogether, regeneration is not one single project, but a programme of work across a number of sites which together will help create a stronger and more sustainable future for the town centre – we want residents to feel proud to live in Swindon.”