Wiltshire Council has said it received "generally very positive" feedback from residents, businesses and local stakeholders during the recent engagement on the Future High Streets Funded schemes in Trowbridge.

Wiltshire Council announced earlier this year that it was going to spend £16.3 million on a facelift for Trowbridge with the aim of making it “a great place to visit”.

The money, from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, will go on smartening up the town, opening independent shops and start-ups, creating new jobs and providing more homes above buildings in the town centre.

People were asked to give their views and ideas on the emerging work for a range of what the council has described as "transformational projects".

These included pedestrian and public space enhancements in the town centre, improvements to the River Biss corridor, vacant commercial unit grant, the renovation of the Grade II-listed Town Hall and seeking a new use for Market Chambers (the old Wetherspoon).

The council also wants to create a “Trowbridge Trail” which it says will “encourage people into the historic town centre and improve the image and identity of the town by transforming pedestrian and public areas”

The council says the Trowbridge Trail will “identify the town’s unique points and destinations” and will “introduce a new signage scheme to showcase the town centre’s heritage, improve links and encourage movement around the town centre.”

The two-week engagement period was held between January 27 and February 11. 415 responses were received.

Councillor Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We are delighted with the level of feedback received and that it’s generally very positive on the projects presented to the local community. It provides a good level of confidence that these schemes are welcomed and are a good fit for Trowbridge.

“The next step is for the project teams to consider the responses and use them to develop detailed designs for the various schemes, before sharing these with local people once again.

“It is a priority for us to support our towns ensuring they can develop, be well-connected and the local economy can grow in a sustainable way.

"The £16 million investment from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund is the first step in helping to breathe new life into Trowbridge town centre and we are confident it will act as a catalyst for other exciting schemes to come forward in the future.“