Cinema is possibility for former college site

2:07pm Thursday 6th April 2006

SWINDON College has sold its Regents Circus site and the new owners say they are looking at building a new cinema as well as homes and shops.

The building will be empty after July when the college moves to its new building at the North Star campus. Developers will be moving in to transform the site into homes, shops and leisure facilities.

Ashfield Land and Parkridge Development are driving the development forward.

Andrew Fisher, managing director of Ashfield Land, is already getting excited about the plans.

"This is a joint project and we have only just bought the land so we really are at the initial stages of the plans and there is a lot of work ahead," he said.

"We are just beginning to interview architects who can create some lovely drawings and plans for us.

"At the moment the theme that the development will take is very hard to say but it is safe to say that it will include residential, retail and leisure facilities.

"The New Swindon Company is planning for a cultural quarter to be created at this end of town and we will be working with them to discuss how we can be part of this.

"We think perhaps a cinema would be a welcome addition but we do not even know yet if there is a market for this.

"Before we do anything we will want to talk to the council and obviously consult the public to find out what people want."

He added: "Things will begin to get more exciting when we have a better idea about what the development will actually include."

The company, along with Parkridge Development, will be meeting the New Swindon Company next week to thrash out plans.

Chris Hitchings, the New Swindon Company development director, said: "This development provides Swindon with yet another opportunity to raise its game and become the region's first choice for investment in retail and leisure opportunities, providing attractive places for people to shop, relax and live in the town centre."

The development is scheduled to be complete by 2008.

And the college has already given the project its seal of approval and is pleased the extra cash will be freed up from the sale.

Nigel Wichall, the college's estates director, said: "We are really thrilled to conclude this sale.

"The funds will be used to support the construction of the wonderful facilities at North Star and will enable us to develop the next stage of our property strategy."

The new Swindon College building will be open for students in September.