Aylesbury Pavilion Quarter - The Verdict
The “first phase” of the Aylesbury Pavilion Quarter project opened to the public at the beginning of November. This is my verdict on the work.
What Was Promised
Pavilion Quarter was promised as a “cultural and entertainment district” on the site of the old Gala Bingo hall between the lower High Street and the Exchange Square car park. An artists impression of what Pavilion Quarter would look like is shown below [Source].
What Was Delivered
These are photos that I took shortly after Pavilion Quarter opened.
What was delivered was a small increase in car parking spaces in Exchange Square and a new walkway from the car park to the lower High Street. The boundary between the car park and the adjacent buildings was also cleaned up. The R2D2 mural at the back of Mendoza has been painted over and we have a new footpath.
The Verdict
I am positive on the result but I would question why it cost £5 million (the most recent project cost) to build a walkway and an extension to the car park. The cost of purchasing the Gala bingo site and other buildings was not included in the Pavilion Quarter project cost. Therefore the real cost is substantially higher.
Having a new path to the lower High Street should increase footfall and will be an enabler to further regeneration. The names of bands who performed in Aylesbury embossed into the paving is a nice touch.
I doubt that Phase 2 will ever happen. The new car park will remain a car park. No performing arts space will be created. And I am okay with that.
We do need further incremental work in the town centre but hopefully future projects will cost less and deliver more.
What a waste of money! What it has delivered is not going to improve the high street, as increased footfall may be offset by the fact that we are doing nothing to encourage companies to open shops in Aylesbury.