Bright future promised former Swindon Museum and Art Gallery

Swindon Borough Council planners have approved entrepreneur Arthur Dallimer’s detailed plans for Apsley House in Old Town.

Mr Dallimer, 29, who bought and sold his first property at the age of 18, says he is finally able to bring in his team to start work on his vision of rescuing the Bath Road building, which has been empty for three years.

He said: “It’s been quite a journey to get to this stage and I’m thrilled that we can finally bring this historic building back to life and get it back into use as a thriving part of Swindon’s Old Town.”

His vision is to create a flagship 90-cover restaurant within the former gallery.

He will also create one retail unit on the ground floor of the main house and a co-working space upstairs which can be used by local businesses or sole traders for everyday use, bespoke events or to run courses.

Work will also begin on upgrading several retail units on Victoria Road, which are all part of Apsley House.

Cllr Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Arthur can now bring forward his exciting plans for Apsley House and rejuvenate one of Old Town’s most significant and recognisable buildings.

“We very much want to see developments like this come forward in Swindon as it aligns with our mission to Build a Better Swindon. What is great about this particular scheme is that it will transform a Grade II listed building into a modern and contemporary use.

“This is all thanks to Arthur’s vision. It has also involved lots of work from our planning team to ensure the important heritage aspects of Apsley are retained, so I’d like to thank all our officers for their efforts.

“I am looking forward to seeing the development take shape now planning permission has been secured.”

Mr Dallimer said: “I want to work collaboratively with Swindon Council on this project as I’m passionate about Swindon and the need to improve and even save its heritage assets.

“I was born and brought up here and I want to create something we are all proud of, which benefits the economy of Old Town as well as Swindon as a whole. I also hope this helps to change the perception of the town through protecting and embracing our important architectural and heritage buildings.” 

Apsley House is a Grade II listed building which was built around 1830 and was initially the home of surgeon Charles James Fox Axford. It became the home of the Toomer family from 1870. 

The family, who made their wealth as coal merchants, stayed there for over 50 years before it became the property of the local authority. In the 1960s a modern extension was added. 

Museum & Art Swindon moved from Apsley House to the Art Deco Civic Offices in Euclid Street to make the council’s collection of artwork and artefacts more accessible.

The former Museum and Art Gallery was closed during the Covid pandemic and did not reopen due to significant repairs needed to be made to the building and concerns over its limited accessibility.

The new venue, which opened in July, is free to enter and provides around 40 per cent more display space as well as improved working conditions and additional areas for staff, volunteers and researchers, presenting an opportunity to restart the museum and art gallery’s volunteer programme.

There is also a space specifically for school trips, providing a classroom and lunchroom area for visitors to the new museum.

Mr Dallimer is the founder of William Arthur Property and is an experienced and successful property developer concentrating on developments, both commercial and residential, in Swindon, Wiltshire and Bristol. 

For more information, people can visit https://williamarthurproperty.com