MJ Awards nominations - Wokingham town centre regeneration

Over recent years Wokingham town centre has seen a complete transformation as the council has delivered a major regeneration scheme. 

The regeneration sought to address key issues which had been identified in the town, including car dominance, issues with massive local growth from housing developments on the edge of the town, a limited offer, and an overall poor town centre experience which was leading people to go elsewhere. 

Following the failure of private schemes to redevelop the town centre, the council decided to step in and take the lead.

This innovative approach enabled the council to make sure that the regeneration happened, and that it would successfully reflect what people said was important for the town’s success. 

Working together to improve the town

From the start of the project the council worked closely with residents, businesses and local community organisations, to identify ideas for how the town could be improved, leading to a Town Centre Masterplan which set a need for creating a thriving town centre economy as well as spaces for people to breathe and streets as places. 

The council continued to work with the community, and partners including David Wilson Homes, Loddon Homes, and Places Leisure, on more detailed regeneration schemes for Elms Field, Peach Place and Carnival.

Additional objectives were also set requiring the regeneration development to be self-funding as well as generating a new income stream which the council could use to pay for essential services for residents. 

Regeneration improvements include pedestrianised spaces and a new square, an improved park and play area, new retail and food units, an Everyman Cinema, bowling alley, soft play centre, an Aldi Foodstore, 512 space multi-storey car park, 95 bed Premier Inn, and a range of new homes including key worker apartments.

The regeneration has also delivered the new Carnival Hub with a large state of the art leisure centre, a community library and cultural use, including a sports hall which converts into a 400 seat performance space. 

Community at heart

By leading the way on this ambitious regeneration project, the council has been able to continue to ensure that the community was placed at the heart of the scheme.

The town has seen over 60 new businesses open, more than 70 per cent of which have been independent and niche businesses, reflecting feedback from residents and a need to offer something different from larger neighbouring towns.

The community has also embraced the new spaces such as Elms Field, which now hosts a large programme of community events, Peach Place, which is proving the ideal spot to relax and enjoy a drink with friends, and Carnival where the new hub is proving a massive hit. 

'Great new pedestrianised spaces'

Cllr Stephen Conway, leader of the council and executive member for housing, said: “The council is under huge pressure financially.

"It’s important we can look at innovative ways in which we can deliver the facilities our residents need, without putting pressure on the funding required to deliver our key services.

"The regeneration is a great example of this, as we’ve been able to deliver improvements for our residents, such as a new leisure centre and library, as well as great new pedestrianised spaces and a park where they can relax and socialise.” 

David Cliff, local business owner, said: "It’s clear the investment in regenerating the town centre is acting as a strong draw with many citing it as a reason they want to be here.

"It was a bold step for the council to get involved and lead on regenerating the town centre, but one which we all believe was needed for this to be a success. I’m so proud of our town and our council and they both deserve any and every recognition they receive."