Fortunes could be about to change in 'forgotten' town...but will it be enough to keep the locals happy?

RESIDENTS, TRADERS WANT A VIBRANT LEISURE CENTRE SITE

- Oscar Fisher

A DERBYSHIRE town that has had a less-than-positive reputation for a long time seems to be on the up, but how do locals feel about the prospective changes - and do they think money and resources are being used on the right things?

We took a trip to Swadlincote to speak to traders and shoppers in the hope of finding out what changes they'd like to see in 2026.

The town has a industrial history comprising mining, pottery and brickmaking but it is plans for the future that seem to be on most people’s lips.

Work on a planned new leisure centre and a headquarters for South Derbyshire District Council could begin at the former Cadley Hill Colliery in September, which would see the closure of the popular Green Bank Leisure Centre in the town. Despite the leisure centre’s move out of the town centre, most people say that is not an issue. Instead, they are worried about what will happen to the old building.

Agy Costanti has worked on the High Street for 33 years and currently runs VapeHQ.

The 49-year-old says he has no issue with the leisure centre moving, but added that what they do with the building is “paramount to the future of the town”.

“It’s going to move quite a distance away, so that’s not going to attract any trade into the town centre, and it currently does as you have people parking at Morrisons, and on the way back they'll nip into shops on the high street - and I know that because you'll see them walking around in gym gear.