A few days ago I had the pleasure of going shopping with my wife (dragged along) to the Outlet village in the old railway works in Swindon.

I have not been down there in a long time so it came as a great surprise to me to see just how much it has changed and I must say for the better.

Not just all the new shops but everything now looks open and alive with seating everywhere you look.

Before it really was like being inside, as the Older Swindonians used to call it, but now the light seems to flood in and the place is more open and airy than ever before.

Gone is the old school table seating where the steam engine is and in its place there is a Husband Park (Luxurious seating area ). ‘You go on love, I will just sit here and have a look at today’s Advertiser for a few minutes’.

Brunel Centre, please take note: there is nowhere to sit in comfort in the Canal Walk area of the Town unless you are eating as well.

Everything now looks wide and clear of clutter apart from some rather huge handbags just outside the toilets and now it all feels joined up as you go around and around only to find you are back where you started.

For the families there is a wonderful play park which all the children seemed to enjoy with great pleasure.

Not sure who has made the difference but whoever it is they are to be congratulated on a first class job.

As it was a Sunday there was an open market outside as well and with Steam just across the road and the National Trust next door, this area of Swindon is now a place well worth a visit. If you have not been for a while, I urge you to give it a try.

So you see we can make something of Swindon’s shopping area if we put our minds to the task in hand Dare I say that I enjoyed the experience? Well, that may be taking things a little too far but I will not fight quite so hard next time the little lady says ‘we are going down the Outlet Village, bring your wallet with you’.

Roy Cartwright Pinnegar Way Covingham Swindon