An engagement exercise around new concept plans to transform the heart of Leamington has met with a massive response as residents and businesses have their say.

The views of Leamington’s residents, visitors and businesses are being sought on plans to transform Parade and more than 1,000 responses were received in the first week after the eight-week engagement period began on June 2.

The plans, drawn up on behalf of Leamington Transformation Board, made up of representatives from Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council, and Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, include making Parade a traffic-free space to give the town centre a major economic and cultural boost. The engagement period is open until July 28th. 

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 convenient 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. 

A new town square next to the Town Hall would be created, providing an inviting 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. 

Mark Lee, Independent Chair of the Leamington Transformation Board, said: “We believe that there is huge potential to transform Parade into an incredible space for Leamington’s residents, visitors, and businesses, helping the town’s historic high street to be better than ever before. We envisage a whole area coming to life with hospitality venues spilling into the newly created space and families able to enjoy the vibrancy of the town, knowing their children can play safely nearby. 

“Many independent studies have shown that giving priority to pedestrians in key areas of town and city centres improves economic and health outcomes – but we know that it needs to be done in the right way with the views of all affected considered. 

 “We want to ensure Parade becomes the centre of a vibrant and economically successful town, in an age when high streets are going through fundamental change and, in many cases, decline. The sole aim is to improve the town centre for the good of local people, businesses, visitors and the environment. 

 “We would encourage anyone interested in the future of Parade to respond to the survey so we can ensure all voices are taken into account as we progress this masterplan.” 

Every implication and potential consequence of pedestrianisation will be taken into account but there is evidence that similar projects elsewhere have benefited the local economy. The Pedestrian Pound report (2024 edition) found that in Shrewsbury, following pedestrianisation in 2022/23, town centre businesses showed that sales growth in the pedestrianised area was 25% higher than in the non-pedestrianised area.