Somerset Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Walters UK as demolition contractors for the Glovers Walk site in Yeovil.

Having recently secured ownership of the site, the Council will be working with adjacent building owners and tenants, including Yeovil Bus Station operators First Bus and South West Coaches, to make appropriate arrangements ahead of demolition works commencing.

Survey works have already commenced, combined with a range of other activities to make the site ready for demolition, which will be carried out in phases starting in late October. This will initially focus on the building interiors and then move in mid/late November to the demolition of the structures. The aim is for all work to be completed by early Spring 2025.

Cllr Mike Rigby, Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning & Assets commented:

“Thanks to £4.8m of Future High Streets Funding (FHSF) allocated by The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), we can now move forward with the demolition and redevelopment of this strategic site.

Initially, we will create a new space for temporary ‘meanwhile’ use. This is to ensure that the site – once levelled – is utilised positively and effectively while we consider long term development options. The creation of green spaces featuring a range of activities would be one example of this type of ‘meanwhile’ use.”

Walters UK Regional Director Jim Webb commented:

“We are delighted to have been awarded the demolition contract that will kickstart the next, final phase of regeneration works as part of the Yeovil Refresh. It is a hugely exciting project for us and we very much look forward to working with Somerset Council on this milestone project.”

Love Yeovil and Yeovil Art Space have been commissioned to gain the views and opinions of the local community and organisations in developing this site and the wider town centre, with the purpose of delivering an attractive, flexible, economically sustainable space for Yeovil, its residents, businesses and visitors to the town.

For more information, please contact the Press Office on 01823 355020 or email pressoffice@somerset.gov.uk.