Is tech the key to reinvigorating Swindon Town Centre?

Reinvigorating the Swindon Town Centre is a complex and multifaceted task, but there is hope. The Town Centre’s alleged weaknesses - its fragmented ownership, lack of centralized coordination, high rents, and high vacancy rates - become virtues as they lower the entrance hurdles for new concepts and operators.

It also makes it possible to experiment, which will eventually result in a more vibrant and diversified environment on our local high street. While important steps have been made, could tech be the saviour of Swindon Town Centre?

On the right track

One of the most important ways to reinvigorate the Town Centre is to engage with the local community. This could involve consulting with residents, community groups and businesses to identify the needs and desires of the local population.

By involving people in the decision-making process, it is possible to build support and generate enthusiasm for any proposed changes. The rousing Arts & Culture Trail for the New Year in the Town Centre, launched on the 12th of January this year and carrying on throughout 2023 is a step in the right direction.

Hosting more cultural events, such as music festivals, art exhibitions or food markets, can help to create a sense of community and bring people together in the Town Centre. Supporting local initiatives, such as pop-up shops or community events, can help to create a sense of community and encourage more people to spend time in the Town Centre and generate excitement and enthusiasm for the area, helping to attract more visitors.

The Local Business Improvement District (BID) company, in Swindon BID rebranding the Town Centre, is also a positive move and could well get people thinking differently about Swindon’s Town Centre and all it has to offer. The new website should make a real difference and more features are eagerly awaited, but could more tech be the answer to breathe life into Swindon’s Town Centre?

Over the past few months, amazing pieces of artwork have been appearing on Carfax Street

We’re pleased to be working with local artists group @Artsiteltd on this project, and we hope everyone enjoys them!

Artists & @MECourtliff at Carfax Street, alongside the art pic.twitter.com/TkujQvZU8t

— Swindon Borough Council (@SwindonCouncil) February 1, 2023

Technology rescue

Young people are extremely tech-savvy, and providing free Wi-Fi throughout the Town Centre can encourage visitors to spend more time there. Visitors rely on their mobile devices to stay connected, but they’ve also become essential to entertainment.

People might want to check reviews when selecting a destination to eat or drink, watch their favourite show on the bus, or listen to a podcast when walking in the park. For example, the rise of online casinos has been staggering and people have become accustomed to playing slots, blackjack and bingo online wherever and whenever they want. A wide-reaching town centre wi-fi connection makes all the difference to a local spot.

While investing in the physical environment of the Town Centre can help to make it more attractive and welcoming, we need to face the fact that people aren’t going to spend time there if it’s using up all their data or they simply can’t get online. While there are areas that offer free WiFi, it’s limited and simply not convenient to keep switching networks.

The same is true of mobile apps for the Town Centre, as the JustPark parking app has proven, tech can provide visitors with information that makes a trip into town more appealing. Yet, we need to go beyond just parking spaces and provide more information about events and local businesses, while offering discounts and promotions to encourage people to visit.

Future augmented reality (AR) experiences could greatly attract visitors to the Town Centre. By using AR to enhance popular tourist destinations, we could transform a typical tour into something of the future by letting guests see how a landmark changed over time or what the area looked like in the past. The use of 3D models and other real-time representations of significant historical personalities can accomplish this. While on an expedition or tour, AR can offer gamification, navigation, scavenger hunts and quiz options that can make the trip and the tourist sights even more fascinating.

Technology, such as augmented reality or mobile apps, can help create a more interactive and engaging experience for visitors to the Town Centre. This can help to attract a wider range of people and generate excitement and enthusiasm for the area.