President's Heartbeat - w/c 21st July

Released On 30th Jul 2018

This week brought the announcement that the owners of the Quedam Shopping Centre have acquired the long-derelict Reckleford Cattle Market for redevelopment.  Quedam also owns the ex-Vincents Yard properties located between the Quedam and the Cattle Market, and their plans for a mix of parking, retail and residential will now be put to South Somerset District Council.  Yeovil is already way ahead of the game in embracing the requirements of the 21st-century town centre; this acquisition is another step forward in the ambitious economic regeneration plans announced by South Somerset District Council earlier this year.

Quedam General Manager, James Tovey said: “We’re really excited about the opportunity to bring the Cattle Market and Vincent’s Yard into the active heart of the town centre…shopping, leisure, business and community operators want to better serve the people of Yeovil…this amazing site gives us the opportunity to plan for the long-term, and deliver social, economic and community wins which will set Yeovil town centre apart.”  This news brings an opportunity to make positive change to an under-exploited area of Yeovil; delivering economic and community vitality.  A key development site in the District Council’s ‘Refresh’ plans, the Cattle Market, combined with Vincent’s Yard, under ownership of the Quedam, can potentially deliver several key aims.  Consultation with key stakeholders already suggests town centre convenience retail, with parking and residential, acting as a new town centre ‘anchor’.

Quedam will now be seeking dialogue with the community to understand what people want.  Yeovil Chamber works closely with the Quedam management team, and the South Somerset District Council economic regeneration board, and Chamber member businesses are encouraged to have their say at president@yeovilchamber.org

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