High Wycombe's White Hart Street transformation nearing completion

As part of a package of significant investment in High Wycombe Town Centre, the council allocated £3.1m to enhance the layout and appearance of White Hart Street with new paving, trees, seating, and planters. The aim is to introduce more greenery and establish a more continuous theme with surrounding walkways through the town. The improvements will make White Hart Street a destination in its own right, where people can spend longer making the most of the area and the excellent shops available. Businesses can now provide outdoor seating for their customers.

High Wycombe is subject to a wider programme of improvements as part of the council’s overall vision for regeneration in Buckinghamshire, focusing on enhancing our much-loved market towns to make the most of their heritage while modernizing the space to fit modern life and the needs of residents and businesses.

In High Wycombe, the council is also investing several million pounds alongside using the Future High Streets Fund to upgrade and re-let empty shops, regenerate ‘gateway’ buildings such as the Brunel Shed and the old Liberal Club and retain key retailers in the town centre such as Primark and Tesco. These schemes include:

• Reworking the current Tesco building in Denmark Street to keep Tesco on the ground floor and redeveloping the first floor into a new home for the county’s archives that the public can visit.
• Improving Red Lion Walk – the walkway from the Swan Car Park into the High Street along the Three Tuns Pub where a beautiful Swan mural is now on the car park wall.

Rachael Matthews, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration, said:

“Transforming our town centres is a top priority for the council, and we’re thrilled that the residents and businesses of High Wycombe are already feeling the positive impact of our changes and improvements. With the Future High Streets Fund and other investments, we're turning White Hart Street into a vibrant destination rather than just a ‘cut through.’ We’ve ensured Tesco remains in the town centre to boost footfall and create more opportunities for local businesses.

With significant private sector investment on the horizon, we’re incredibly optimistic about High Wycombe’s future. This is about blending investment with enhancing the town’s appearance and celebrating its heritage. High Wycombe is now a thriving market town with fantastic shopping, the Swan theatre, and the university, and our public spaces reflect that energy and vibrancy.”