A supermarket and a cinema company have put their hats into the ring for the new Elms Field Development.
Wokingham Borough Council has announced that on Thursday evening its executive committee will consider applications for leases for the planned boutique cinema and food store. They will form a core part of the shopping precinct being built into the part of Elms Field that will be converted into retail space.
The other side of Elms Field, which currently houses the play park, Edible Wokingham and the May Fayre, will be landscaped with the intent of being able to utilise it more for leisure events which may include activities such as the Wokingham Festival and Open Air Cinema.
The council is pleased that it is able to consider these pre-let agreements for Elms Field, but say that they can’t reveal which groups are bidding for the sites until negotiations are completed. However, they do feel that it shows confidence from the retail sector in the borough’s ambitious plans to regeneration the town centre as it also build 13,000 new homes over the coming years.
Cllr Philip Mirfin, executive member for regeneration and communities, said: “Securing pre-let agreements like these, and the one we already have in place with Premier Inn, will mean that a large proportion of the Elms Field commercial space will already be let prior to us even beginning work on site.
“Whilst negotiations are ongoing we cannot reveal specific names. However as soon as we are in a position to, we will let you know. Along with the companies involved, we are keen to share the good news when we can and I am sure there will be lots of interest.
“The regeneration scheme is all about bringing an improved variety of shops and leisure back to the town centre so it can actually provide the great quality experience our residents deserve.
“We know there is interest from businesses in coming to Wokingham and our regeneration proposals will provide the units that businesses need, supporting a much better variety of business for the town from small independents to larger regional and national names.”
Which supermarkets or cinema chains would you like to see come into Wokingham town centre? Have your say in our comments box below.
