Three new commercial units are ready to welcome businesses at Swindon’s historic Carriage Works, marking the latest milestone in the long-running regeneration of one of the town’s most significant heritage sites.
Located on London Street, the ground-floor units have been created as flexible, open spaces, giving incoming tenants the freedom to shape them to suit their needs. Retailers, cafés, bars and galleries are all being encouraged to explore the opportunity.
The Carriage Works, built in 1876 as part of the Great Western Railway Works, once formed part of the largest locomotive carriage operation in the country and stood as a symbol of Victorian industrial ingenuity.
Following the closure of Swindon’s railway works in 1986, the building and surrounding area lay dormant for decades. That changed in 2018 when the first phase of regeneration was completed, bringing the site back into public use.
This initial phase saw the launch of The Workshed, a business incubator designed to support entrepreneurs, pioneers and creative thinkers. Today, it offers office accommodation for digital, tech and creative companies, alongside co-working space for those in need of a flexible desk.
Since then, further investment has seen the opening of the Cultural Heritage Institute, operated by the Royal Agricultural University, a dedicated film-making facility for Create Studios, and the Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST).
Swindon Borough Council is now progressing the third phase of regeneration, which will convert five additional units within the Carriage Works into usable commercial and creative space.
The transformation of the site also forms part of the wider Knowledge Central vision, which will sit between the Carriage Works and Swindon railway station. Work is ongoing between the Council, Business West, Network Rail and other partners to shape a new commercial, educational and residential quarter, while retaining essential station car parking.
Councillor Kevin Small, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said the opening of the new units was another positive step forward.
“It’s great that we’re now in a position to open these ground-floor units and bring another important part of the Carriage Works back into use,” he said.
“We’re hopeful they’ll soon be filled with businesses that add life and vibrancy to the area.
“These units form part of our wider plans to revitalise the Railway Village, increase footfall and support regeneration, including the long-term ambition to transform the train station and surrounding land through the Knowledge Central development.”
Businesses interested in leasing the new units, or other spaces within the Carriage Works, can find further details on the site’s website.
