Kenilworth has a "good mix of multiple and independent" shops in its town centre, but needs further promotion to make sure it thrives.

That is according to a report published earlier this year as part of work on the new South Warwickshire Local Plan.

Warwick District Council (WDC) and Stratford-on-Avon District Council (SDC) commissioned a detailed dive into town centres across the region, with the results showing Kenilworth has a "strong convenience provision".

As part of the study, local residents were surveyed with most people saying they head to Kenilworth's Warwick Road for 'non-food shopping' and to 'visit to cafés / restaurants'.

Data on local town centres (image via SWLP)

"The centre serves its local catchment and there is a good mix of multiple and independents," the study produced by Lambert Smith Hampton said.

"It also has a strong evening economy which needs to be promoted further. 

"Whilst the centre benefits from a low rate of vacant properties, place making and promotion should be a key feature to ensure resilience and vitality across the centre. 

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"Footfall levels need to be monitored and place based activity and promotion should be considered as an overall part of the marketing mix for the centre."

The town centre's strengths included:

• High level of connectivity and accessibility. 
• Strong convenience provision. 
• Low vacancy rate. 
• Good mix of independent and national multiples. 
• Good shopping environment with pleasant street scene, with soft landscaping and historic value. 
• Strong evening economy. 
• Good level of parking. 
• Regular street market.

However, the report also found a number of threats to Kenilworth's high street, including "strain" and "congestion" on Warwick Road and a "lack of new occupiers for vacant space". 

Increased business costs was also raised as a concern.

Data from Kenilworth's town centre (image via SWLP)

"The economic metrics across both districts indicate a strong and diverse economy," the report added. 

"This is underpinned by new investment in place and funding for specific areas and units to enable repurposing to take account of emerging trends."

WDC and SDC recently agreed a new timetable for the local plan.

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Originally due to be put into place in 2025, locals will now not see the final proposals for two districts until at least 2027, following major delays to the project.

Delays to the new local plan have been blamed on delays to publishing the 2021 Census data, changes to the councils' political makeups following the local elections and "uncertainty of potential changes to national planning policy".

Councillors have said the new local plan could see as many as 35,000 new houses built across the region, and could feature a brand new settlement.