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What Charles Square will look like after the town centre is regenerated
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Bracknell regeneration to start in the summer

By Jennie Slevin
January 24, 2013

Demolition in the town centre to create an ‘inspirational shopping and leisure destination’ for Bracknell Forest will start this summer.

Artists’ impressions revealing the vision for the northern area of the town centre were unveiled last week and plans for the long-awaited regeneration are further down the line than ever before.

Thousands of people keen to see what is in store for the town viewed the first glimpses of the proposed layout at an exhibition held by Bracknell Regeneration Partnership in Princess Square on Friday and Saturday.

The northern area, which will join Waitrose with the town centre, will be home to 50 retailers and 10 restaurants.

Helen Barnett Bracknell Regeneration Partnership marketing manager said: “There have been numerous schemes that have never got this far before and we’ve secured some great anchor retailers.

“There will be lots of areas for the public to meet and move around and this leisure area will be a great place for night time economy.

“We’re looking to start demolition in the summer and so that’s something we’ve got to put into place.

“We will be working with as many businesses as we can to relocate them and get the northern area vacant.”

Despite the ongoing battle of high street chains against the recession, Tim Wheadon, Bracknell Forest Council’s chief executive, doesn’t believe the town will struggle to fill the shops.

He said: “We know the interest is there from the people we have spoken to.

“The success will depend on the quality of the anchor sites and we’ve already got Marks & Spencer and Cineworld.”

“We’ll also rely on the quality of the fashion retailers we manage to secure.

“Trade will be driven by the social evening areas which will contain family orientated restaurants.

“We’re really excited about giving people somewhere to go in the evenings because Bracknell has never had that before.”

Helen added: “We saw more than 2,000 people come through the door over the weekend.

“Everyone has been really positive and wants to see it happen.

“We handed out feedback forms, we’ve had lots back and we’re taking it all on board. We’ve received lots of
suggestions from people about what shops and restaurants they’d like to see.”

The public exhibition has now closed, but information will be at www.bracknellregeneration.org and in Princess Square.

Feedback forms are available for anyone who wishes to share their thoughts with the regeneration team.

Town Centre Timeline

2000:Bracknell Forest Council consults with people on what they want from a new town centre.

2002:A masterplan, costing £500,000 to prepare, is unveiled showing how the town centre could be redeveloped.

2003: Bracknell’s two major land owners, Legal & General’s Life Fund and Schroder Exempt Property Unit Trust, form Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP) to develop the town centre plans.

2006: Outline planning applications are submitted by BRP.

– Government Office for the South East gives plans the go-ahead.

– The council approves outline planning permission for the regeneration.

2007:Variations made to the outline plans and the Development Agreement is exchanged

2008: BRP begin to look into Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO).

– The Secretary of State confirms the CPO within the development area.

– The recession forces plans for the regeneration to be revised.

2010: Work starts on the varied development agreement, Section 106 planning obligation and outline planning permission extension.

2011: Waitrose confirms its deal with BRP and planning permission is granted.

– BRP start the CPO process, asking property owners to leave the northern area.

– Possession of Market Square properties under the CPO.

– Waitrose opens.

2012: Demolition work starts in January with properties in Market Square.

September: Cineworld announces it will open a 12-screen cinema.

October: BRP announces Marks & Spencer will be the first anchor store for the new town centre.

2013: The northern section of the town centre is in final stages of the CPO process.

January: BRP opens a public exhibition revealing images of how the town centre will look.

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Well we best make that a date then Win!!! See you Friday or Saturday lol Bacon butty or liver and onions? The only cafe I have come across that puts 3 slices of bacon in a sandwich lol

HK, bracknell
29/01/2013 at 07:41

I keep meaning to pop in HK - and now that the R#@%!$ration looks more and more solid you can tell me what the situation is for championing the market going forward.

Winstanley, Bracknell
28/01/2013 at 18:25

Winstanley, the reason they don’t want to encourage independents is that the rents and rates that they would charge would be so high that they wouldn’t be able to afford them. Take the old Boots Opticians building. I looked into that for a cafe but I’d have to take over £1500 a week just to cover the rent and rates and that doesn’t take into account any energy costs and the like. Alas, town centres these days are for the big businesses as they are the ones with deep pockets. It’s all down to money and not need (no different in any area of anything, even down to special needs schools) Independents don’t stand a chance and so have to make do in places such as the appalling Winchester house. It’s better than nothing but not the long term answer. In an ideal world, a street would be put aside for the little people like me and others who aren’t going to retire on their takings but do like to give a good service to the community. You really must come down and say hello one day as we seem to read out of the same book most times!

HK, bracknell
28/01/2013 at 13:28

HK - you're right about eating out around Bracknell. I can't say I rate any of the local pubs for food, which is a shame because many are great as local boozers. The dearth of dining out venues will hopefully be remedied but it will no doubt be the usual suspects.

Have to say that while I find Camberley often handier than Reading it is a good example of where the chains don't fit the locality. Wagamama's works well in the Oracle but just looks out of place in Camberley.

What is wrong with promoting good quality independent traders and eateries? I'm sure if the planners got their heads out of their backsides and ditched their middle class snobbery they would soon find independents willing to take a punt on investing in the town.

Winstanley, Bracknell
28/01/2013 at 10:41

Glen, I'm with you on that one. I've lived here since 1991 when they were wittering on about it then. Strange their timeline doesn't show this period and seems to have forgotten about the 10 or so years previous to 2000. I can see the future now – demolition will begin in the Summer (I was told Autumn when I went to see the plans), then I fear nothing will happen for a long, long time. The odd mega store will pop up but the worry is, the rest will stay as an area that’s flattened, unusable, and an even worse eye sore than the town is already. So long as they begin construction VERY soon after demolition then I feel it will be ok but with most things, the wheels grind slowly and so your 1 year prediction could I think turn into 5 or 10 years! By which time they will begin to discuss the next regeneration of Bracknell. Well, they need over 20 years to think about it going by their track record! However, we live in hopes (Bracknell residents are expert at that – 20 years experience just on this one), and we must try to stay positive (difficult at times). We are all full of doom and gloom (I am just as guilty as the next) but let’s all try to keep that tiny ember of hope burning, otherwise, what is there to look forward to (other than moving to a different town!)

HK, bracknell
28/01/2013 at 08:34

Madeline, its dinner PLUS dessert (the choice is many and varied but totally free from any sand – spell checker didn’t correct that blunder lol) for £5. Perhaps the market cafe isn’t posh or upmarket but it’s a place where people come, meet up with their friends, have home cooked food along with a happy smile and great service. It’s not your Frankie and Benny’s or Nando’s but when I go out and fancy something to eat, I head for the nearest independent cafe as I know I will generally get a reasonable degree of service rather than being the next number on a ticket. I try my best to make the cafe welcoming but alas, the stigma of going to such a place tends to put people off. Personally, I’d rather go somewhere that I know is clean and where I can get edible food rather than go to a place that’s shiny and the food is mass produced, slapped on a plate and no care is taken as to how the food tastes or looks. I have given up going to many pubs around Bracknell simply because I have had to send food back so many times due to it either being undercooked or poor quality. I will return if it’s a one off (nobody is perfect) but when it’s every time, you have to wonder what their training is like. I wouldn’t serve a meal unless I would be happy to eat it myself yet this concept seems to have left most places because all they are interested in is getting as much money in the till regardless. I run my business in such a way that I try to give the best value for money but I don’t make much out of it. I could hike my prices up but I’d rather make a tiny profit and have repeat custom than put prices up and have less custom. Greed is the downfall of many places and this reflects on the service and food. Liver and onions with mash or chips and peas or beans on the menu this week and yes, it’s all for £3.50 lol oh, and that’s mash made with potatoes rather than mash out of a packet so you may well find a few little lumps in it – you won’t get that in a fancy pub or restaurant!!!

HK, bracknell
28/01/2013 at 08:18

No Madeline, Who isn't my surname!

Anyway I too wouldn't be surprised in 1 years time to see nothing has changed! Hate to be negative, but all this talk of regenerating was going on years before I moved to Bracknell (and believe me Bracknell wasn't our first choice of town to move to!). It'll be so nice to have a town centre to be proud of, as let's be honest it's bit of a dump at the moment and I only go there if I really need to. Wouldn't it be nice to go into a new clean modern town centre with a great choice of decent restaurants (I hope... and not ALL family orientated!!!) a new bigger cinema with proper tiered comfy seating (unlike the Odeon) and more shops.

Glen .
25/01/2013 at 09:36

Finally something it seems to really start happening! I have confidence this time is the right time. By the way, I understood the bus station won't be moved any longer and it stay where it is today. If that is true it can only be a good news given the fact it should completely refurbished. Also, what about Market square? After the project of the icon tower was rejected I heard nothing more. Would that mean that the derelict 3M tower will still overlook the new Bracknell Town Centre... hopefully not!

PRB, Bracknell
24/01/2013 at 19:41

hazel my dear - a desert all of my own for £5? Crikey. Do I get a choice....? Gobi or Sahara say?

Madeline Vegas BA (Hon) PPE, Hanworth, Bracknell
24/01/2013 at 18:23

Glen who?

Madeline Vegas BA (Hon) PPE, Hanworth, Bracknell
24/01/2013 at 18:21

Double D'oh! Ok ignore 3 of the 4 comments I made!

Glen .
24/01/2013 at 17:42

One of the main reasons of moving to Bracknell nearly 5 years ago now was this promise of a brand new town centre. So yes I'm also very sceptical too that it will actually happen. The plans sound great and although I think 10 restaurants are a little excessive, considering there's basically none at the moment, it's definitely something that is missing from the town centre. My wife and I are mid-30's and I'm sure we're not the only ones who have to travel to Reading, Wokingham, Windsor for a nice meal out because there's nothing decent in the town itself.

Glen .
24/01/2013 at 17:41

Not visited the Red Lion yet so can't comment, but there are no other restaurants actually in the town centre is there? Sorry but the Market Cafe doesn't count as somewhere people would go for a nice meal out!

Glen .
24/01/2013 at 17:41

One of the main attractions for moving to Bracknell 5 years ago was this massive new town centre plan. So yes I'm still sceptical about it actually happening, but really hope it does because there is no nightlife at all in Bracknell, and if you want a decent restaurant you have to travel to Wokingham, Reading, Windsor or Camberley. Sorry but going to the Market Cafe for a nice meal out isn't my idea of fun! I've not yet visited the newly refurbished Red Lion so can't comment but new restaurants are desperately needed in the town centre, although I think 10 is excessive. I really hope my favourite steakhouse Miller & Carter come to town! Also be interesting what happens to Odeon once Cineworld opens, there's no need for 2 especially when you have cinemas nearby in Winnersh and Camberley.