A PLANNING application was submitted this week for the proposed £30million revamp of Stratford Town Square.
If approved the redevelopment will include shops and restaurants together with a four screen Everyman cinema, together with a public open space for events and outdoor entertainment.
Hundreds of people recently visited a public exhibition to view plans for the scheme with nine out of ten agreeing the run down town centre square was in desperate need of improvement.
If given the green light, the square will be renamed Bell Court and the 14th century bell that was previously hung at the site will be re-installed.
John Stacey, asset management director at developer UK & European Investments, said: “For many years, Town Square has been an under-used part of Stratford.
“There is now a clear window of opportunity to take forward this important regeneration project. Our revised proposals significantly improve upon the existing planning consent that was granted in early 2014 and, following our deal with Everyman, we are in a strong position to implement our exciting plans for Town Square.
“Since acquiring the lease to Town Square at the end of last year, we have worked closely with our planning team and architects, as well as local organisations and key local stakeholders including Stratford District Council and Stratford Town Trust to ensure the proposed scheme will complement Stratford’s existing town centre offer.
“We believe that our proposals will create a high quality, well managed environment where both local residents and visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon can shop, eat, drink and enjoy their leisure time.”
As part of the planning application, UK & European Investments also intends to improve entrances into the development, including making Terret Court an open street.
Construction will start later this year if agreed by councillors, and Bell Court will open in mid-2017.
UK & European own the lease to Stratford Town Square – two thirds of which is owned by Stratford District Council and one third by Stratford Town Trust.
