New concept plans to transform Leamington’s Parade

Businesspeople in Warwickshire have been asked for their views on new concept plans to transform Leamington’s Parade.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Mid-Warwickshire Local Business Forum welcomed Stephen Marks, representing the Leamington Transformation Board, to its latest meeting at Ashorne Hill.

Stephen presented the concept plans to make Parade a traffic-free space to give the town centre a major economic and cultural boost.

The Leamington Transformation Board, made up of representatives from Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council, and Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, opened an eight-week engagement exercise on its emerging Parade Masterplan at the start of June, and will run until July 28.

Part of the masterplan includes exploring options to remove vehicular traffic from Parade, with the aim of increasing the number of people using the space and the time they spend there, boosting the town’s economy.

Buses that currently stop at the top of Parade would be re-routed to alternative stops nearby, while delivery vehicles would be permitted limited access during times of lower footfall. Emergency vehicles would still be able to access the road.

Businesses also heard that a new town square next to the Town Hall would be created, providing a new space for community events, markets, and performances.

Parade would be enhanced by the addition of new trees, planting, seating and cycle infrastructure, with accessibility at the forefront of its design.

The meeting was chaired by Kate Hunter, the vice-chair of the Chamber’s MidWarwickshire Local Business Forum.

She said firms were broadly in favour of the changes but had welcomed the opportunity to ask questions.

Kate said: “Businesspeople recognise that all town and city centres have challenges coming at them from all angles – from internet shopping through to high business rates – so it’s vitally important that they move with the times.

“Those businesses in attendance, in the main, liked the concept and the opportunity to create new spaces that would open the town centre. Leamington has so much going for it already, so it’s crucial that any new