Vision for new town centre site announced

Buckinghamshire Council is unveiling more detail about the concept for Aylesbury's exciting new 'Pavilion Quarter'.

The council is progressing a £5 million regeneration scheme for Aylesbury, including the creation of this new vibrant business and entertainment quarter, which directly links the High Street with the thriving Exchange development. Regenerating this dormant site will open up new routes in the town centre and create opportunities for new jobs and a dedicated space for small businesses and start-ups.

It's a key element of the 'Regenerating Bucks' strategy that was adopted by the council last year. This overarching strategy outlines how existing sites in Buckinghamshire's three main town centres can be repurposed and revitalised to create exciting new areas in the town centres for residents and visitors, that also provide a boost for existing and new businesses.

The new 'Pavilion Quarter' for Aylesbury will be named after the old cinema that previously stood on the site and will reflect the site's history as a music and entertainment venue. The old building - which has stood empty for some time and is in a poor structural condition - was acquired for demolition with the site earmarked for regeneration.

These artists impressions, and site plan and photo below showcase the kind of use the council is proposing for the Pavilion Quarter, which includes:

• new space for independent businesses and start-ups to open and flourish
• an outdoor area with potential for a dedicated space for music and other events
• an opened-up link between the Exchange and the High Street improving flow between the two areas
• attractive new lighting and planting

Rachael Matthews is Buckinghamshire Council's Deputy Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration. She said: "We are delighted to be able to share early impressions of our vision for the new 'Pavilion Quarter' for Aylesbury. This is about breathing new life into this part of the town centre. This is not a final scheme, but outlines the kind of use, look and feel that we want for the new quarter – a space for everyone to enjoy that enhances and adds to the overall town centre experience.  

This is about bringing a redundant space back into use which opens up our town centre and provides new opportunities for businesses. To ensure the town continues to grow, we must adapt to post covid high streets that are more agile and that attract people into a lively town centre experience with a variety of offerings.

"We have a planned programme of engagement as we develop these plans and work towards finalising a proposal that works for the town and its communities. We also want to celebrate the history of this part of Aylesbury within the new Pavilion Quarter.

 "We want Aylesbury town centre to be a vibrant and bustling location, where people want to live, work and socialise as well as feeling proud to call Aylesbury their home town."