Trowbridge’s Castle Place shopping centre and its adjoining multi-storey car park in Trowbridge could be knocked down and rebuilt as part of a huge multi-million pound scheme designed to revive the town centre.

The project would be financed from a £23 million Future High Streets Fund bid, which was submitted to the Government by Wiltshire Council in July.

The empty site would be redeveloped to bring more leisure, residential and cultural facilities to the town centre, at the same time linked to the Town Hall and St Stephen’s Place. Additionally, the former Sir Isaac Pitman pub would become the entrance to a new market hall.

Leader of Wiltshire Council, Councillor Philip Whitehead, said “We will know in the autumn whether we have been successful and can proceed with our plans to make Trowbridge town centre a more attractive place to live, work, visit and shop.”

Trowbridge Town Council leader Councillor Stewart Palmen welcomed the bid, saying it offers “exciting” opportunities for Trowbridge. He said “I am very excited by the bid. I think it’s completely feasible, and would undoubtedly be the way forward for our town.”

The bid includes plans to redirect traffic, the introduction of new pedestrian links and cycleways, and to extend the town centre between the Innox Mills development and St. Stephen’s Place. The redevelopment would involve  Stone Circle, Wiltshire Council’s development arm, and Nexus Properties Ltd, owners of Castle Place and nearby St. Stephen’s Place.

Plans would also include a new leisure centre, with the possibility of housing and cafes fronting onto the Town Park, and tree-lined walkways between the new buildings, creating a pleasant and greener atmosphere.