THE MASTERPLAN for Leamington Creative Quarter is set to presented to council chiefs next month.
Complex Development Projects CDP – Warwick District Council’s development partner for the multi-million pound regeneration project – spent nearly two years developing plans to breathe new life into the Old Town area.
A consultation exercise, which involved liaising with more than 600 businesses and residents in a series of public forums and surveys, has now finished, and CDP is now preparing to present the final masterplan to the council.
Proposals put forward in the draft masterplan included turning the old post office on Victoria Terrace into a hotel, opening a restaurant in the town hall, and the possible relocation of the library to make way for a food market in the Pump Rooms.
Spencer Yard, already home to a number of creative businesses, would be the focus of the regeneration.
Proposals include new entrances through the former Robbins Well pub on Victoria Terrace and the United Reform Church round the corner on Spencer Street.
The former church could also host events from weddings to indoor markets. Spencer Yard itself could have an outdoor cinema.
It is understood the plans could also create 300 new jobs.
Joanne Truslove, of CDP, said: “The Creative Quarter aims to further enhance the town’s key strength as a centre of creative industries and its UK Silicon Spa reputation.
“We were pleased with the response to our consultation from the public and businesses many of which were constructive and were supportive of our plans to help the creative industries in Leamington to expand in an area of the town which is mainly under-developed.
“We are now working with Warwick District Council on adding as many of the suggested changes as possible but we are pleased that generally the masterplan has been warmly received.”
