A BUSTLING market, eclectic collection of shops and some of Swindon’s most historic buildings make up Old Town.

Visitors wandering through its streets will find a plethora of eateries, shops, hairdressers and professional businesses for all tastes and all purses.

Recently independent retailers and businesses have been making it their home giving it yet another lease of life.

Old Town retains its own flavour and identity standing proud overlooking Swindon’s ‘new town.’ The spire of Christ Church, nicknamed “The Lady on the Hill”, is Old Town’s landmark and can be seen from miles around.

Old Town has its own Christmas lights display, and runs its own festival. This year’s is due to take place between June 18 and June 26.

Its motto is “For the community, by the community” and it aims to provide enjoyment and entertainment for the whole community and to promote business interests particularly within the Old Town area.

Chairman Carol Gibbon said they hope to build on the success of previous years.

Secretary Jennifer Stevenson said: “This year we have a sixties’ theme and we’ll be looking at sixties’ food and having a parade of Minis.”

Regeneration within the Old Town area is a high priority with outdoor pitches at Croft Sports Centre are set to be transformed over the coming months to make way for a floodlit 3G artificial grass pitch.

The scheme will involve five youth football and two mini football grass pitches with improved drainage and cricket pitches. Work on the site has started and is expected to be completed by the summer.

The £1.5m development has been funded through a £224,470 grant from the Football Foundation, a charity funded by the Premier League, the FA and Government (via Sport England).

Old Town is enjoying a renaissance with businesses and traders joining forces under the banner of the Old Town Business and Professional Association (OTBPA).

Chairman Richard Deacon said: “The association has roots back in the 19th century when It was originally formed by my great, great grandfather, Hubert Deacon.

“It has had various guises over the years but we renamed ourselves the OTBPA in 2000 to reflect how Old Town has changed.”

The business community involved in the association now includes specialist retailers and a variety of professionals including accountants solicitors and estate agents.

“We are an eclectic mix, a broad church,” said Mr Deacon who runs Deacons the jewellers in Wood Street. Anyone wanting to join should contact Mr Deacon on 01793 522072.

Old Town is also the home of Swindon Arts Centre which also houses the library which has recently been relocated and a cafe bar.

The arts centre brings in an array of talent and holds masterclasses at its new studio as well as promoting local talent.

Old Town also boasts the Town Gardens in Quarry Road, laid out on the site of former Purbeck limestone quarries.

The gardens were owned by the Goddard family, the local lords of the manor, whose family home was at the Lawns.

The gardens were recognised in October 2000 when they were placed on the Register of Parks and Gardens as a Grade II site by English Heritage and also feature The Bowl, which was restored in the 1990s, and the bandstand – an original feature of the gardens.