The retail landscape of Old Town continues to evolve, with recent months witnessing a wave of closures, followed by an exciting influx of new businesses setting up shop in the area.
Wood Street has felt the impact, most notably with the closure of Boots, a staple of the street for many a year, which remains vacant as rumours swirl of potential occupants. But it is Devizes Road that has experienced the most notable changes.
Businesses such as Future Planning, Pick Up Point and Connies have closed their doors, alongside a few local independent traders. However, the empty units haven’t stayed vacant for long. In an ever-changing retail market, where one door closes, another seems to open—literally.
One of the most talked-about transformations is the former Reflections Hair Salon, now reimagined as an independent travel agency, Swindon Travel Hub. Ashley Hunt, one of the agency’s owners shared this excitement about the move into Old Town, saying, “It’s been amazing in our first month. People have popped in to welcome us to the area and to compliment us on the store’s look. Trade has been better than we could have hoped for in the first month, so we’re looking forward to a positive future in Old Town.”
Meanwhile, Pick Up Point has announced plans to reopen within Jacks on Victoria Road, and the much-loved Momo King, currently on Havelock Street, is set to open in the former Pick Up Point venue however it is not yet known if this is an expansion or a replacement for the town centre location.
Perhaps the biggest buzz surrounds Connies, which will soon be replaced by Drink Valley, an independent brewer with an existing outlet in the town centre. The team at Drink Valley are thrilled about their move to Old Town. “We’re excited to be moving into such a thriving beer scene and look forward to offering something unique to complement our successful neighbours,” a spokesman shared.
Devizes Road has also welcomed a new tattoo parlour, taking over from Future Planning, and more changes are on the horizon, with two new barbers opened and a tanning salon set to open before Christmas.
The road may look significantly different this festive season compared to last year, but the charm of Old Town remains strong. Vacant units in the area are quickly snapped up, and as we look towards 2025, the bustling retail scene looks set to thrive further.
With businesses moving in and out at such pace, it’s clear that Old Town remains a hub of opportunity. If you’ve got your eye on an empty unit, you’d better act fast—because if you don’t, someone else will!
