THE final phase of Yeovil’s town regeneration project, the Yeovil Refresh, could soon begin.
Somerset Council, which has now purchased the site from Martin Property Group, is looking to demolish the empty shopping centre and build new shops and affordable housing on the premises.
Following the demolition of the site, which is expected to begin in autumn, the council will redevelop it to form a “temporary meanwhile use” which it says would ensure the site is utilised for “value adding purposes” to contribute to the evolution of the town centre, while long term development options for the site are explored.
The site will then be redeveloped in accordance with master planning work, which started in March.
Yeovil has been undergoing major redevelopment work since 2019.
The £4.8m funding for this comes from the Future High Streets Funding allocated by The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Cllr Mike Rigby, lead member for economic development, planning and assets said: “We are very pleased to finally be the new owners of Glover’s Walk and look forward to working with our neighbours ahead of works commencing on the delivery of an attractive, flexible, income generating space for Yeovil and its town centre.
“Somerset Council is determined to drive the re-imagining of our town centres.
“High streets across the country have been affected by the new ways in which customers buy goods and services.
“The regeneration of this part of Yeovil will build on the Refresh works that have been delivered over the last few years, in building a more attractive town centre.”
Gary Martin, director at Martin Property Group said: “We are delighted to have completed the sale of this strategic and important site in Yeovil, having worked closely with Somerset Council over the past 12 months to make this happen.
“As new owners, the council is best positioned to maximise the potential of the site and its impact within Yeovil in the years ahead.”
Demolition contractor agreements are currently being finalised and further details will be announced soon.
Yeovil Bus Station will not be closing and will not be affected by plans for the Glover’s Walk site.
Somerset Council will be working closely with the Bus Station owners to ensure that the station remains fully operational throughout the period of works to the Glover’s Walk site and into the future
hopefully this space is used wisely open up shops and stores that attract tourist and even local people for example stores that we don’t have near the yeocil area for example a home bargains or some soft play areas for the children like an air hop and fast food restaurants we don’t have like wagamamas or five guys
Can absolutely trash the Octagon and then can’t afford to repair the damage to bring in valuable visitors and revenue to the town but can demolish a perfectly functional shopping precinct (only empty because of the exorbitant business rates being charged by the council) makes no sense to me. If it was their own money they were using how many councillors would be applauding the Yeovil Refresh lunacy !!