Wokingham town planners have concluded that the application of building cladding as part of a regeneration programme can keep shops trading at all times – no matter what’s going on around them.

The proposal is intended to keep local retailers happy, as well as members of the public, as Peach Place in Wokingham prepares to undergo some of its biggest changes in 50 years.

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Re-cladding buildings rather than demolishing

Wokingham Borough Council and developer Wilson Bowden are looking to re-clad two stores in the town, which were built in the 1960s, and based in Broad Street and Rose Street.

“We are planning to give Peach Place a facelift as the 1960s buildings are very tired and fail to create the setting that our town hall deserves,” said councillor Alistair Corrie, executive member for regeneration and affordable housing, on getwokingham.co.uk.

“We are re-cladding these buildings rather than demolishing them as it is really important to keep businesses like Boots and Clarks still trading in the town to maintain footfall whilst the rest of the regeneration is delivered over the next few years.”

Planning application due for submission this autumn

New shops and a hotel in the Elms Field area are also understood to be in the main planning application which is due for submission this autumn.bbc.co.uk adds that more than 1,200 people attended the regeneration proposals in July, which included talks of a new plaza.

If approved, work should be complete by the end of 2016.

Author: Chris Taylor   Date Written: 14 August 2012