Retail Demolition Therapy & The New-New Swindon Company

Either the remaining part of the old Bhs store, or the scaffolding around it, collapsed earlier today, giving a bit of drama to Tuesday morning shoppers.

It's a cruel irony that with regeneration being one of the biggest local election issues, buildings in our town centre need no help in falling down.

Swindon Centric Says ; The new and improved New Swindon Company is made with even more public money but hasn't lost any of that original flavour you love!

Political Black Hole As Cabinet Collapses In On Itself

Komadori's reporting on the latest full council meeting shows a Conservative party in open warfare.

If that wasn't bad enough, they've topped it!

Councillor Bawden is seeking legal advice on 'inappropriate behaviour' by a fellow party member.

Swindon Centric Says ; The Conservatives today revealed six themes they want to fight the general election on. Are the Swindon Conservatives grown-up enough to handle that big a number?

And Now The Shopping Forecast

The forecast? Well, it seems to be steady as she goes, hold course and no sudden movements.

In a very tardy response to Rob, who commented on this story from September 2008, the BHS rebuild and the Canal Walk, Parade revamp seems to be the most we can hope for as the economy oh-so-slowly grows again.

But there is an indicator of how the recession has effected rebuilding work. The Debenhams store is to receive a modernisation, the retailer doing what it can in it's current premises as the Regent Place plan (which included a new Debenhams store) fell through.

House of Fraser is Swindon's split personality department store retailer. Selling racks of outlet discount ranges, while trying to do so under the 'House of Fraser' brand with the word 'outlet' bolted on smacks of not knowing their market, with there only being two other 'outlet stores' in the UK. Swindon seems to be one of a trio of locations where expectations for an up market department store weren't borne out by the shopper demographic that actually existed. Watering down a brand is not something that is easily reversed.

No new whispers to indicate whether House of Fraser will be moving out any time soon.

Swindon Centric Says ; Ask anyone who works in retail in Swindon how they would describe the profile of the town's shopper and they will only reply with one word, "cheap".

Getting The Blank Message

Swindon Centric couldn't quite pass the Magic Roundabout end of Shrivenham Road without smirking and feeling rather proud at the 'Bluh Out' graffiti.

Proud because it might show that Swindon now leads the UK in modern political graffiti and smirking because it was unexpected and entertaining!

As suddenly as it appeared, it had been cleaned off.

Swindon Centric wonders if the homeowner cleaned it himself, if he contacted the graffiti-removal team, if some other concerned citizen contacted the graffiti team or if Swindon Services were proactive and contacted the homeowner about removal themselves?

Swindon Centric Says ; "they spelled my name correctly", remarked Councillor Rod Bluh, Swindon has educated graffiti artists, at least some standards in Swindon are going up.

500 Not Out - Citizen Democracy Swindon Thrives

This is Swindon Centric's 500th post and we're as surprised as you that it's still here!

It appears that Citizen Democracy is alive and thriving in Swindon, Komadori's hawk-eye on councillor's practices, and the ramping up of Talk Swindon and it's range of contacts resulting in the highly-addictive 'leakline'.

Swindon Centric Says ; Swindon's new media is leaving Swindon's old-media coughing and dazed in it's wake, maybe even irrelevant?

It's A Small World - Swindon Twinned With Disney!

Mary Poppins appeared on a westerly breeze, over the Honda factory.

Yes, you read that right and here's the evidence. Spit-spot!

Swindon Centric Says ; Bedknobs and broomsticks! The jokes to be made about where Cinderella's Castle is and who gets to play Mickey Mouse.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 117

"Ssssh!"

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. It goes through your mind every time you see her.

9. I couldn't keep my eyes off them.

8. We're trimming fat.

7. We're the only modern country that doesn't recognise the true value of sherbet.

6. Cost will double, then you'll be sorry.

5. It's jealousy, but you didn't hear that from me.

4. The booing was fine, it was the cabbage throwing that he objected to.

3. MGMT, turn it up.

2. The doors are in different places.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. You know your workplace has reached a certain standard when you get a laminator.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 116

"These walls have ears."

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. It's too claustrophobic, I prefer a ceiling that lets you see the sky.

9. If Derren Brown knew the numbers, why didn't he keep it quiet and buy a ticket?

8. You can't see out the windows on those seats.

7. I've got pegs, thanks.

6. He's a primary school teacher, he's got a boyish face and he can sing, he's bound to win, it's been edited that way.

5. Being traditional is hugely overrated.

4. That buggy wouldn't fit in a HGV.

3. The point of the phone is that you don't have to SHOUT to the person at the other end.

2. I expect nothing less than success.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. You've bought four packets of brioche, we don't eat it, just because it was on offer, twat.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 115

You never know who might be listening!

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. The flags give the cakes a nice international flavour.

9. Give him my number.

8. They threw the switch and I could feel the electricity begin to throb.

7. Don't pass go, don't collect your poppyseed muffin.

6. It's not addressed correctly, it'll end up being eaten by a sorting machine.

5. Grab your bearings and lets let the finance team have it.

4. The devolution's in the detail.

3. I haven't got my ipod, what am I gonna do?

2. Why does avoiding wheat mean I'm going to recover quicker from a cold?

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. What's all this about people being angry about violins on television?

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 114

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. Lets get the ball rolling, to prevent misunderstanding.

9. They break for tea, no other sport does that, how British.

8. A holiday is to be endured, not enjoyed.

7. You can't be that fashionable on the number 20.

6. No that's legal, but that one, the red one, most certainly isn't.

5. It was a three-course delight with a pile of excellence placed on top.

4. They all rhymed, which was a novelty and really brightened up the meeting.

3. I'm doubling how much I charge now too.

2. I was shoved right up against the wall and it took me ten minutes to get my breath back.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. The waiter practically propositioned me there and then, but I had already called for a fast black, otherwise, who knows?

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 113

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. It was a threatening message, wrapped in a lemon drizzle cake.

9. We are bound to get caught up in the whole furore.

8. You speak as if you have authority, but you know that you know nothing, right?

7. Huge organic onions on special offer, I'm there!

6. Pixie Lott, the most un-rock and roll name in history, ever.

5. My hopes are high, he's bought a ring.

4. Don't give me that rubbish, you know that he's letting another four of us go.

3. It's exact change only, or you lose an eye.

2. Futurama is coming back, I'm so excited.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. I think that the news reporting on exams getting easier, has gotten easier.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses (Week Before) Last Week ; 112

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. It's an old Motown record.

9. It's gathered like moss in a crevice.

8. The fresh start starts... here, NOW!

7. The route terminates when the road runs out.

6. They use to say 'keep calm, carry on', I long to bring it back.

5. Don't be patronised, but Jane that's not right.

4. 18 delays so far this morning.

3. I whacked her in the ankles with the doors, I laughed like Sid James.

2. Shove your TravelPass where the sun don't shiny, sweetie.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. Jazz and drinks, we were the youngest people there, it was like a musical version of Cocoon.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 111

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. I wasn't invested in the characters enough.

9. I would agree with you in the sense that you are wrong.

8. He went to my school and is still a prick.

7. He can't drink alcohol anymore, so he's taken up snuff.

6. Four-pounds ten, but I've rounded it up to a fiver.

5. They promised to me they'd report back.

4. These ones rattle like a haunted horse and carriage.

3. Don't you dare think you can steal from me in a romantic way.

2. The new season is starting soon, hoorah!

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. Oh look, here comes the walking, talking shopper-without-portfolio.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

University At Coate? No! Houses? Maybe Next Time...

As Komadori has made clear, the decision to refuse planning permission for the area next to Coate Water shows how that a University on the site won't happen. But it appears the Secretary of State is quite taken with the houses idea ;

The Secretary of State agrees with the Inspector that… the appeal proposals have the potential to deliver high quality housing,… make a meaningful contribution to identified housing needs and are in a suitable location in principle for an urban extension. He gives significant weight to this factor.

It needs to be clear that Swindon Borough Council's objections were the ones that were agreed with by the Secretary of State, rather than the objections from the campaigners. They need to regroup and get ready for a new application for housing from another developer which is bound to come at some point and take any proposal to pieces and prod it in a forensic manner.

Swindon Centric Says ; Praise where praise is due, well done Swindon Borough Council on their work to show the holes in this proposal and congratulations to the campaigners.

Now, tomorrow's story will be the launching of a coherent plan by Swindon Borough Council to build a university within the town centre. Won't it?

The Answer Lies In The Lanterns

There were no aliens in the sky above Pinehurst, they were Chinese lanterns, what a surprise.

Swindon Centric Says ; Can we upgrade to seeing aliens walking around the town, like they do in Bournemouth?

The Answer May Be In the Skies, But Not The Statistics

As Komadori has posted, there's no evidence to back-up the headline 'Pinehurst People Feel Safe - Survey' by citing 38 out of 55 returned questionnaires from a small part of a larger area of town.

If the people of Pinehurst have anything to fear for certain, it's the UFOs above the area.

Swindon Centric Says ; STOP PRESS! This rumour just in - The UFOs are chinese lanterns fashioned out of unreturned questionnaires and launched by residents.

One For Your Links

The Broad Street Area Community Council website is a no-nonsense page, featuring all news filtered and presented that's relevant to the area.

Details include local events, planning applications and the minutes from police meetings.

Swindon Centric Says ; If you live in the Broad Street area, this should be one of your go-to sites.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 110

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. He took me to one side, the other side was occupied.

9. Don't do the obvious, do the strange.

8. It's a ghost bus, there's never anyone on it, not even a driver.

7. Stop picking at it, it'll get worse.

6. Jordan's got swine flu, poor thing.

5. I'm a petite size 9.

4. Making anything rhyme with Malcolm isn't easy.

3. I have half an hour before they threaten me again.

2. The sandwich is toast.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. Something just fell off the bus, just above the driver's neck!

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 109

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. She's the grandmother-in-chief.

9. The clock is running.

8. Road humps be damned, here I go!

7. It smells worse than Destiny's armpit.

6. You say potato, I say ; potential chip-based meal.

5. They are mounting like a pile of unsold cardboard recycling.

4. He wrote the whole series and didn't go mad.

3. I know all the lyrics, but don't know the tune.

2. The cholesterol is washing over me right now.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. When they misspelt my job, 'booker' on the website, I had to change my phone number.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 108

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. I faked an English accent all the way home.

9. A stand-up bloke if there ever was one.

8. Would you like to get a cup of coffee?

7. There are no depths to which he will plunge.

6. You have to tell her the truth, that one leg is shorter than the other.

5. Don't sit there, that seat is cursed.

4. Deep, deep down, I wonder what she's thinking.

3. Your sense of style could put the fear of the devil into Donna Karan.

2. The flooding is a ploy, there is a secret plot afoot in this town.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. He died with his balloon on.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.