Charles Square closes in revamp

CHARLES Square, one of Bracknell’s central shopping areas, is now closed as the next stage of the £240 million town centre regeneration starts.

The square had space for more than 30 shops and cafes, all of which have either moved premises or been forced to close completely before the boards went up on Monday.

The famous water clock feature will disappear, despite initial plans to retain it.

The fountain’s 'deep structure’ means it can’t be saved or moved, to the frustration of business owners and shoppers.

Paul Kenwright, manager of Virtual Games, which will reopen its store in nearby Princess Square, said the feature may not be missed as it’s 'never on anyway’, but he remains hopeful for the future of the town.

He said: “The fountain is never on, but it will be a shame to see it go.

“We’re excited about moving. Our store has been here for more than 22 years. We have lots of regular customers so it’s great to be able to keep going.” The town centre redevelopment has meant the end, though, for K4, a charity shop operated by Kerith Community Church.

It has had to close its doors due to the prohibitive cost of leasing a store in the new town.

K4 had hoped to remain open, and started a petition in early May to encourage the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership to find them a new home.

But manager Rob Eveleigh said: “We will be shutting and then looking into different ways we can raise money.

“It’s a shame. We would have liked to stay and we have fully enjoyed being here. It’s good, though, that there will be change for the town.” Shop units will now be rebuilt or pulled forward, which will narrow the square to form a new street, linking Princess Square to a new Fenwick Store.

The street will be home to a new Primark store and will feature new lifts and escalators to the Charles Square car park.

However, the new Charles Street and modernised Stanley Walk are not due to open until spring 2017, and there is currently little to attract shoppers other than Princess Square and the High Street.

Shopper Allison Burt of Bracknell is concerned the regeneration work may be too little, too late.

She said: “The regeneration will be a good thing, but there’s going to be absolutely nothing in the town at all while it’s going on.

“It might all be a bit too late. There’s nothing to get people to come into the town. How will they get people to come back to Bracknell?

“Charles Square isn’t the prettiest area. I’m not sure how sad I am to see it go, but it’s a shame they can’t save the water clock.” Building work will see the square transformed into a street of shops and cafes as part of the £240m regeneration.

The new town centre is expected to be complete by Spring 2017.

Retailers already signed up to the scheme include a new 80,000 sq ft Fenwick store, Marks and Spencer, Primark, Waitrose and H&M.

A new 20,000 sq ft shop will host Arcadia’s popular fashion brands, Topman, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Burton.

Cineworld has committed to a new 12-screen cinema, and eight quality, family-friendly restaurants have agreed to take space, including Carluccio’s, Zizzi, Coast to Coast, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Pizza Express, Wagamama, Nando’s and Las Iguanas.

The new development in the north of Bracknell town centre will comprise 580,000 sq ft of new retail and leisure space, supported by a 1,300-space multi-storey car park and landscaped public spaces.

In addition, Eagle House, a vacant eight-storey office block is being converted from offices to flats.

<p class="x_MsoNormal">As part of the work the Charles Square car park escalators, situated by The Grange Hotel, will be closed to the public from Monday, June 8.

<p class="x_MsoNormal">Customers and visitors will still be able to access The Grange Hotel via the Staircase on the East side of Stanley walk.

<p class="x_MsoNormal">Once the escalators have been closed off, visitors using Charles Square car park will be able to access the town via the ramp and the stairs to the rear of Barclays Bank.

<p class="x_MsoNormal">Town centre visitors will still be able to use a safe walking route through the square, which will connect High Street and Stanley Walk/ Princess Square.