Number 19d Regent Street is in the town centre of Swindon.  The facade reminds us of how our town centre buildings used to look before town planners demolished so many to make way for modernisation.  Oh the character lost!  We can't decide just how real this building is though - it was completely remodeled a few years back and we understood the facade was to be kept, but looking at photographs of the original building there is a lot missing.  Even so, it is so nice to have something that isn't just a brick or concrete box blighting the town.

After the work was completed we think the company Next moved into the building - we certainly don't remember anything else before this and it was always known as the Next building.  So it was rather disconcerting when the company ceased trading here in 2014 and we saw scaffolding go up and builders at work in 2015.  Although for a short time it had another business there, for much of the time it was vacant.  In 2019 a charity have been using it to raise funds.  It would be good to see the building taken on by a company who can secure its future.