Property owners and businesses are being urged to play their part in improving the appearance of Swindon town centre ahead of a major clean-up campaign later this summer.
Swindon Borough Council is writing to the owners and occupiers of a number of properties where maintenance issues have been identified, encouraging them to carry out repairs and improvements before the end of August.
The move forms part of The Big Town Centre Clean-Up, a targeted programme of environmental improvements that will take place during the final two weeks of August.
Letters, signed by Councillor Matthew Vallender, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration, ask owners to review the condition of their buildings and land, with photographs highlighting issues identified at individual properties.
Among the problems being targeted are graffiti, broken windows, overgrown weeds and vegetation, damaged or outdated signage and untidy waste storage areas.
While businesses and landlords are being asked to improve privately owned buildings, council teams will also be carrying out a programme of work across the public realm, including street cleaning, jet washing, weed removal, paving repairs and other improvements in key parts of the town centre.
Councillor Vallender said the appearance of privately owned properties plays a major role in shaping people’s impressions of the town.
“The Council can play its part by maintaining the public realm which is why we are running The Big Town Centre Clean-Up to target effort in the last two weeks of August.
“Many of the buildings that people see every day are privately owned, and the condition of those properties has a direct impact on how our town centre looks and feels.
“That’s why I’m writing to business owners and occupiers asking them to take pride in their properties and address maintenance issues such as removing graffiti, clearing weeds and removing damaged or outdated signage.”
Property owners are being asked to complete the work by the end of August.
The Council has also warned that where long-standing issues continue to affect the appearance or condition of buildings, formal enforcement action may be considered where legal powers allow.
Councillor Vallender said the initiative was about making visible improvements through cooperation rather than simply relying on enforcement.
“This is about taking practical, reasonable steps that collectively make a visible difference to the appearance of our town centre.
“We know there are long-term challenges around regeneration and investment, but there are also simple actions that can be taken now.
“By working together, property owners, businesses and the Council can help create a cleaner, more welcoming town centre for residents, visitors and investors alike.”
The Big Town Centre Clean-Up is part of the Council’s wider efforts to improve the look and feel of Swindon town centre while supporting longer-term regeneration plans and encouraging greater confidence among shoppers, businesses and visitors alike.
