Property investor has 'ambitious plans' for Castle Place

Property investor Tahir Ali has finally bought Castle Place Shopping Centre after it was auctioned in December for the third time in six months.

Last May it was sold at auction for £1.2 million but that sale failed to proceed. In September the property was withdrawn prior to auction.

It was finally sold at auction on December 13 after a 'fierce bidding war', with the 47-year-old property investor from West Yorkshire snapping it up for £534,000.

The new owner, who owns a company called Evergold Property Ltd of Wakefield, says he has ambitious plans to work together with the key stakeholders across Wiltshire and Trowbridge to 'seek to bring about the most positive result for the site and the local community'.

“While there have previously been plans to redevelop the entire site, our focus is firmly on working together with Wiltshire Council and other key stakeholders in Wiltshire and Trowbridge to seek to bring about the most positive result for the site and the local community," he said.

“Castle Place offers a range of units for retailers at a time when there is a shortage of larger retail units within Trowbridge town centre available to rent.

"While The Shires is pretty much fully let, we can now offer retailers good quality space at extremely competitive rents which come with the benefit of free parking at the multi-storey car park directly adjoining the centre.

“Very rarely do you get large retail or leisure units in a town centre that have the benefit of completely free car parking and it was this that drew me to purchase the site.

“We are keen to bring these units to the market and are confident that the space on offer will generate interest among a range of leisure and retail operators with the potential to turn around the fortunes of Castle Place shopping centre.

“While these may be challenging times economically, we are determined to do what’s best for the centre, the site, and the local community.

“I am coming in with a completely blank canvas when it comes to ideas and the direction for the site and am looking forward to making new business contacts and friends in the area. My goal is to forge valuable partnerships within the local area.

“We have previously brought about positive change to other large retail and shopping centre sites effectively and successfully in Scotland and the North of England and are keen to work alongside our neighbours to deliver something positive that the whole community can benefit from and which should help draw in visitors from the surrounding region.”

Cllr Stewart Palmen, leader of Trowbridge Town Council, said: "I wish the new owner all the best but fear it needs more of a radical makeover than what I am hearing are the current plans.

"The town, in my opinion, does not need the volume of retail space that Castle Place offers so if it is to be successful it needs a better mix of uses."

Kez Garner, chair of Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce, said: "Trowbridge Chamber is pleased to welcome Tahir Ali to our business community here, and is glad that the deal has been concluded at last.

"We have already passed him ideas and requests from residents for indoor leisure facilities such as bowling and climbing walls. We have also passed him enquiries from leisure, retail, food businesses and charities seeking space to let here. 

"We are also gathering a large group of independent creative people keen to occupy vacant spaces within the space.  We would particularly love to see a ‘Made In Trowbridge’ store and gallery here.

"If any more leisure businesses, artists, or independent food operators would like to get in contact seeking space please send an email to info@trowbridgechamber.com."