The Shambles: An in-depth view of £1m plans to revamp the site

Devizes Town Council has launched a consultation on plans for the regeneration of The Shambles in the town centre.

The council has been working with PKA Architects for some time to develop proposals for a renovation of the building and this significant project has a budget of up to £1 million.

On Saturday, August 24, the initial plans were unveiled to residents and traders who have been given the chance to have their say on the plans. The consultation is scheduled to last six weeks and end on Sunday, October 6.

Designs propose a revamp of the entrance by creating a lobby area with automatic doors, a mezzanine space and underfloor heating.

Other plans include having glass bifold doors in front of some traders plots.

READ MORE: The Shambles: Traders have their say on plans for £1m revamp

As previously reported, traders on the market have mixed opinions on the plans. Many agree that something needs to be done to improve the building's heating while others fear plans could take the historic feel of the market away.

'It needs an upgrade'

Philippa Huber, who sells her own photography, has been trading at the market for two years. She said: "Something does need to be done because in the winter it is absolutely freezing.

"We need something that does make it more weather proof and pleasant for the traders and the public rather than it feeling like an ice cube."

She added: "It is a real wind tunnel so the idea of some sort of sliding door protection would be good."

Martin Rae has been trading at Plot 35 for around 18 months and said it needs an upgrade.

CGI images of the plans  (Image: Devizes Town Council/PKA Architects)

Leave it 'unchanged and unspoilt'

John, who has been trading in the market for ten years, disagrees with the plans, adding it should stay "unchanged and unspoilt".

He admitted the market needs some work but doesn't think the designs are needed.

He said plans "make it look like an airport departure lounge".

The Gazette and Herald spoke to the council's Town Clerk about the plans and the need for them in the town despite data suggesting footfall in town centres is in decline.

The picture across the UK

Recent data from PwC explores store openings and closures. Green Street tracked more than 200,000 outlets operated by multiple operators across Great Britain, extended in 2020 from the top 500 high streets to all Great Britain locations, between January 1 and June 30 this year.

The data for the first half of the year reveals a total of 6,945 outlets have closed their doors so far. This equates to an average of 38 store closures per day, a slight increase from the 36 closures per day recorded for the same period last year.

On the other hand, the sector has also seen growth in store openings. A total of 4,661 stores have opened so far in 2024, averaging 25 openings per day. This marks an increase from the 24 store openings per day also recorded in the previous year.

In the South West, where Wiltshire is, in the first six months of this year there were 686 closures compared to the first six months of last year at 615. There were 502 openings, up from 438 the previous years.

While net closures are up slightly this half-year, the trend remains broadly stable with a similar number of net closures for each of the last three years.

High streets have continued to suffer, with a decline in footfall in every month in the first six months of 2024, except for March.

Net closures for 2024 is 12 per day, meaning there are 2,284 fewer outlets on high streets, shopping centres and out of town for the first six months of the year

It finds that footfall is a significant part of the explanation for this trend. Currently 15 to 20 per cent lower than before Covid.

SEE ALSO: The Shambles: Devizes Town Clerk says plans will increase footfall

'The time is now right'

The money for the revamp will be coming from the council's reserves but the Gazette was told the council may need to put a long-term loan in place to fund the rest. 

Mr Fisher was asked whether the money should be spent on the building.

He said: "The money is always available to spend on other things but we see this as the next project. We are doing other projects, but this is a project that has been in the pipeline for a number of years. We think it is now right to spend money on this building to support its long-term future."

He added: "We could spend less on it, but it would be like sticking a plaster over it and we will spend the money again in a few years time. We could spent a lot more money but we might not see the return on it."

Comparing Devizes to other markets he said "we don't need to revive it" and added "markets up and down the country are failing but Devizes market is doing really well". 

He continued: "Where indoor markets have had some investment they are the ones that are doing okay. Those that aren't having an investment are going into decline."

How other markets have faired 

Last year the indoor market in Barnstaple reopened following a £2.5m refit in a bid to restore it to it's former glory.

Malcolm Prowse, lead member for economic regeneration and planning on North Devon Council, previously told the BBC: "This market is thriving again now and it's great to see."

Mr Fisher added: "I was shocked at how it deteriorated but my understanding is they have done some work to that and it has revived it."

Over the last few years Darlington Market has undergone a transformation which its town council hopes will preserve its heritage and create new opportunities.

It has since been crowned UK's best small indoor market at a prestigious awards event. 

However, several businesses were reported to have left the venue in March 23, less than a year after opening. At the time Darlington Borough Council said it remained confident empty stalls would be filled.

In October last year, Bury Market was shut immediately due to the discovery of reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (RAAC) in the roof structure which posed a safety risk.

Following the closure, traders who operated within the hall were either relocated, had their units reconfigured to continue operating, or arranged alternatives for their business.

Some traders were given the option to move into the Mill Gate Shopping Centre and have been continuing to pay their rent based on their original unit.

The council also covered costs for utilities, service charges and business rates for traders occupying the Mill Gate with that support reviewed after a year. 

But now the council is set to stop that support from March next year, having already spent more than £268,000 to subsidise traders.

A council report, states that the cost of the emergency response to the closure of the indoor market hall is more than £950,000.

READ ALSO: The Shambles: Town Clerk says 'now is right time to invest'

Some of the traders (Image: Newsquest) 'Money well spent' say some residents 

Jo Tanner has lived in Devizes for 20 years and said she has seen the town's "ups and downs".

She said: "Yes it’s money well spent as it may attract more visitors. Several years ago a scheme was put forward to promote Devizes as a tourist attraction for people visiting Bath.

She added: "Now that most of the banks have closed (I think a great loss to community) this will affect the need for short term parking but at a cost to our amazing independent shops. Anything to help them is a good plan."

Nigel Brown, who only lives a short distance away from the market, hopes that the historic market feel won't change.

He added: "I love the quirkiness of the place. I think if they can give it a facelift without changing the character of it, it will be great."

Another resident who lives in Devizes, but did not want to be named, said plans look "light, open and welcoming".

They suggested that money could also be invested to improve the town's parking.

A resident who lives on Pans Lane, in Devizes said: "The easy wandering to and from the open market in the centre of the town would be lost if The Shambles were enclosed by modern doors and a cafe.

"Visitors may not even enter at all, thinking it is just a another cafe and more shops and not realising the wealth of individual artisans and entrepreneurs displaying their wares inside; and, surely, any cafe, as now, should be situated near toilets which are already at the rear of The Shambles."

Norbert Szot posted on Facebook to say plans are a “waste of money” with things like “housing and roads” being “more important”.

The council will next review feedback from the consultation before any decision or planning application is submitted.