Keeping you up to date around town

BRP to brighten high street shopping with £350,000 refurbishment to retail units

21/09/06

Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP) is delighted that planning consent has been granted to refurbish the shop units on High Street. These plans reflect an investment of 350,000 into improving Bracknell town centre and brightening the shopping faćade on the High Street, ahead of the regeneration.

The plans will see the creation of a contemporary double height glazed shop front (see picture) for 51/53 High Street, with modern fittings to be put in place on the upper levels of the existing units, removing the concrete canopy running above eight stores. This will create a brighter prospect along the pedestrianised shopping street for existing stores.

Clare Juniper, Head of Strategic Asset Management for BRP comments: “This refurbishment, which will enhance the shopping environment and attract more new retailers to the town centre, is part of a wider commitment by BRP to improving Bracknell before the regeneration starts.”

BRP are actively improving the town centre retail mix and have recently introduced new stores, such as Shu-Time and Orange and brands such as YSL in Bentalls. The team have successfully completed relocations of several local businesses, such as Tudor Dry Cleaning, Just in Time and Aspeys Insurance. Expansion of existing local retailers, such as Headlines’ expansion into a new Nail bar store, and support for new start up businesses such as Stamposaurus has also been a priority for the team.

Elsewhere in the town, BRP continue to identify opportunities to improve facilities, such as the car park in Princess Square Shopping Centre, which is undergoing a 250,000 refurbishment to create a more welcoming shopping environment, from the moment shoppers arrive in the centre. The refurbishment plans will introduce new ticketing and control equipment, offer additional public pay-stations, launch new signage and branding and improve the entrance lobby into the centre.

Now that plans have been approved for the High Street refurbishment, BRP expect works to start on site in late September, with an expected completion later this year.