A £23m funding bid to transform Trowbridge high street has been approved by council leaders and will be submitted by the end of the month.

At this week’s cabinet meeting, Wiltshire Council leaders unanimously agreed to progress a bid which aims to rejuvenate Trowbridge with a range of projects to attract visitors and new businesses, as well as bringing more leisure and cultural activity into the county town.

“I am very enthusiastic about this,” said Cllr Philip Whitehead, leader of Wiltshire Council.

“If we are successful in getting this money through, which I hope to be, will transform the high street in Trowbridge through its access and feeling.”

The projects would focus on encouraging independent businesses to set up in vacant properties, as well as creating safer pedestrian links along the river corridor from the town centre to the high street.

Trowbridge’s Cllr Jo Trigg described the bid as a ‘hugely welcomed investment’ into the town, however, raised concern over the potential risk of work to be completed by 2023/24 – one of the funding’s conditions.

Cllr Whitehead added that this was ‘one of the least risky’ aspects to the bid with planning director, Sam fox adding the risk will be built into the projects which will be adjusted as they progress.

After the meeting, Cllr Whitehead said: “The Future High Streets Fund bids will help us to unlock the potential of Trowbridge town centre, as we adapt to the changing face of the high street.

“The high street has faced a number of challenges in recent years, and the Covid-19 pandemic will only add to the challenge as we look to attract more people to visit, stay and shop in Wiltshire.”

The council said that the bid case was on track for submission at the end of July.