Trowbridge is the county town of Wiltshire and is situated on the River Biss in the west of the county, about ten miles South East of Bath. The Kennet and Avon canal also runs to the north of the town.

From the 13th century Trowbridge developed a clothing industry and became increasingly industrialised from the 17th century onwards. Food production developed in the town when Abraham Bowyer started his business which eventually, as Bowyers, became one of the largest employers in the town.  The brewing company Ushers also operated in Trowbridge from 1824 to 2000.

With a Masterplan for the town centre currently underway and developments being delivered on the ground, Trowbridge provides a significant opportunity for inward investors, boasting a number of large vacant brownfield sites. With over £65 million of mixed use development achieved since 2008 the town is being transformed into a place for the people of Wiltshire to work, rest and play.

Transforming Trowbridge

The Transforming Trowbridge partnership aims to maximise Trowbridge’s potential.

In 2001 a number of agencies came together to develop a ‘Vision for Trowbridge’. A study regarding an overall development ‘masterplan’ was commissioned and the findings were accepted as a starting point for establishing a more detailed ‘vision’ for the town.

In 2005, the steering group was renamed Transforming Trowbridge, to reflect the shift in emphasis from planning to delivery. Membership of the group has remained wide ranging, with representatives from the town, district and county councils, the South West RDA and local business. In 2009 Wiltshire Council created the Transforming Trowbridge Special-purpose Delivery Vehicle, a public private partnership with responsibility for leading the regeneration of the town and providing an outward looking body to engage with potential investors.

Developments

A number of major developers are progressing schemes for the centre of Trowbridge.

Parkridge Developments Ltd has completed building Shires Gateway, a retail led scheme, with 75,000 sq ft of shop units. High Street names such as Next, Brantano and New Look have signed-up and there are still opportunities for major retailers seeking large modern units.

Developers, Barton Finch have completed the first phase in the redevelopment of the former Ushers Brewery bottling site, with the opening of  a new 44,000 sq.ft Sainsbury supermarket.

Legal and General Investment Fund has acquired the 6 acre town centre former Tesco’s site, St. Stephen’s Place and the adjacent Castle Place Shopping Centre. The Council has agreed a Development Brief for the vacant and long derelict site and is looking forward to working with L and G on securing the right development for this key site, which  offers very significant potential for town centre retail, commercial leisure and housing.

To find out more, you can also contact Trowbridge Vision Director Adam Nardell on 01225 713291  0r 07748 376959 email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Stats

Population: Trowbridge 32,976 (2001 Census)
Earnings £21,260