Winchester’s Kings Walk to be given ‘new lease of life’

Plans to revitalise Kings Walk in the centre of Winchester have been confirmed by Winchester City Council. The upgrade will be delivered across an area covering 1,770 square metres

Architectural practice Studio Multi will work alongside the council to transform the area. It’s understood that the council will announce a contractor to deliver the works which are reportedly enthusiastically anticipated by tenants, the BID and the police.

The appearance of retail terraces facing Middle Brook Street will be affected by the improvements alongside the Kings Walk, Silver Hill entrance. A ‘Courtyard Garden’ shared by traders and The Nutshell is also planned, achieved via new planting, suspended light fittings and flexible seating.

Director of Studio Multi, Nicola Rutt spoke about the improvements: “In recent months, we have spoken with many of the traders in Kings Walk and have put their views for the transformation at the heart of our proposals to revitalise this part of the city.

“We are seeking to transform the open spaces of Kings Walk by turning them into usable extensions of indoor spaces, the intention being that this will encourage the local community and visitors to Winchester to engage more with Kings Walk, which has a rich mix of independent, creative businesses and characterful outdoor spaces.

“Our proposals will also contribute towards the longer-term development of a ‘cultural quarter’ in the area by seeking to attract more creative, independent businesses to the centre of Winchester.”

Leader and Cabinet Member for Asset Management at Winchester City Council, Councillor Martin Tod said: “It is great to see these exciting proposals moving ahead.

"The team has worked closely with the tenants, local businesses and the police to design these much-needed improvements to Kings Walk which represent the early stages in what will eventually be a much wider transformation and improvement of a larger part of the city centre.

“This is only a beginning, but it starts to show the great potential impact of the wider vision for the Central Winchester Regeneration site and its significant long-term benefits to people living and working in and around the district, including the creation of flexible workspace, retail and leisure facilities together with high-quality housing and attractive public realm.”

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