Swindon news, November 2026: day by day

Swindon Borough Council granted permission on 4 November 2026 to change 105 Broad Street from a shop to a launderette with cold refreshments and an external flue at the rear.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

A planning application to install air source heat pumps and a solar panel array at St Luke's Church Hall, Broad Street, Swindon, was received on 2 November 2026. Comments close on 26 November.

Community · Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

Ofsted's report on Holy Rood Catholic Primary School in Swindon, published on 10 November 2026, rates the school strong standard in all seven areas and finds safeguarding standards are met.

Education · Source: Ofsted

Swindon Borough Council granted permission on 5 November 2026 to demolish the building at 27 Church Walk South, Rodbourne Cheney, and build four houses.

Housing and living · Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

A prior approval application to change 27 Curtis Street, Swindon, from commercial (Class E) to residential use was received on 2 November 2026. Comments close on 26 November.

Housing and living · Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

A new Ofsted monitoring visit says Swindon Borough Council is making progress on support for care-experienced young people, but names four areas still needing improvement. The council announced it on 11 November 2026.

Council and services · Source: Swindon Borough Council

Swindon Borough Council granted two decisions on 4 November 2026 for the Redlands Shop and village square off Wanborough Road: changes to the approved plans and a change to the Section 106 agreement.

Council and services · Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

Swindon Borough Council will not submit its City of Sanctuary application, completed in April, and will ask to be removed from the membership list. A new Council Refugee Plan is due in February 2027.

Council and services · Source: The Ink

The Richard Jefferies Museum held its annual volunteers' party on 6 November and received £500 towards a new building from the Freemasons Playdell Lodge.

Arts and culture · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A community group has asked Swindon Borough Council to list The Rolleston Arms and Level 3 on Commercial Road as an Asset of Community Value while the site is up for sale.

Arts and culture · Source: Swindon Advertiser

The McDonald's restaurant on Cocklebury Way in Swindon has reopened after a major refurbishment, and its franchisee plans to recruit about 25 more staff.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon24

Developers plan to turn a vehicle repair shop and yard off Morse Road in Swindon's Old Town into 12 commercial units, with work due to start in the new year.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Beechcroft Library in Stratton St Margaret has won three awards for services including a community pantry and a free benefits advice point.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Luca Cusimano of Grano Lab in Swindon has been named Pizza Chef of the Year 2026 and won the SuperTops category at the PAPA Industry Awards.

Food and drink · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A Great Western Hospital nurse consultant has started a fundraising campaign for a defibrillator in Taw Hill that the public can reach at any time.

Healthcare · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Two medical students will work alongside the clinical team at Priory Road Medical Centre in Swindon until January 2027.

Healthcare · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A prior approval application would turn the empty ground-floor offices at Priam House, Fire Fly Avenue, into nine apartments.

Housing and living · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Borough Council has raised its maximum fixed penalty for fly-tipping from £400 to £5,000 for the most serious offences, after new Government rules.

Council and services · Source: Swindon Borough Council

A planning application for a new multi-sports facility at Foundation Park, at the County Ground in Swindon, was received by Swindon Borough Council on 5 November 2026. Comments close on 30 November.

Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

A full-size printed copy of the Bayeux Tapestry is coming to STEAM in Swindon from 10 to 19 November 2026, according to Swindon Borough Council's events listing.

Things to do · Source: Swindon Borough Council

The Royal International Air Tattoo will leave RAF Fairford after 40 years and be held at MOD Boscombe Down near Salisbury in July 2027, with refunds available and local discounts promised.

Things to do · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Burytown Lane in Blunsdon will be closed between Churchway and Upper Burytown Farm for works on 26 and 27 November 2026.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Businesses at Cheney Manor Industrial Estate held a joint event on 7 November to mark the official opening of Babydoll Inked and show Swindon what the site has to offer.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Pub company Queensway Inns says it will not be taking over The Savoy, the former Wetherspoon pub in Swindon town centre. The pub's future is still unconfirmed.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Designer Outlet is giving one winner a £250 Sweaty Betty gift card to mark the brand's new store, which opened on 17 October. Entries close at 11.59pm on 13 November.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Wiltshire Police and an educational psychologist are running a pilot that supports six young people at high risk of violent crime, three of them from Swindon. It will be evaluated in March 2027.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Folly View Primary School in Faringdon, near Swindon, has been accredited under the Modeshift STARS Education scheme for promoting walking, cycling and scooting to school.

Education · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A Community Diagnostic Vehicle run with Great Western Hospitals has supported 53 patients at home in its first eight weeks, and 91 per cent avoided a trip to hospital. Funding is secured through November.

Healthcare · Source: Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's maternity services have achieved UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Gold Accreditation for their infant feeding care and support.

Healthcare · Source: Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found Swindon Borough Council at fault for a ten-month delay in issuing a child's EHC plan. The council will pay £1,000 and review its procedures.

Council and services · Source: Swindon Advertiser

New double yellow lines are being painted outside Matalan at the Greenbridge retail park in Swindon to stop vehicles parking by the entrance.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A 26-year-old from Freshbrook has been banned from driving for 16 months and fined £1,000 for drug-driving on Great Western Way, Swindon.

Transport · Source: Wiltshire 999s

National Highways has announced three overnight closures on the A419 in Swindon between 12 and 21 November for electrical and drainage work, with diversions in place.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Home-based bagel maker Bageltastic has applied to Wiltshire Council for a premises licence at 49 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, for a café. Public consultation ends on 30 November.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Swindon will open a free Toy Town family experience from 5 December, with timeslots booked online for a £2.50 fee that goes to Julia's House.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Hundreds of people lined Commercial Road and gathered at the Cenotaph in Regent Circus on Sunday 8 November for Swindon's Remembrance parade and service.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon's Armistice Day service is at the Cenotaph in Regent Circus on Wednesday 11 November at 11am, with the laying of crosses and a two-minute silence. It is free.

Community · Source: Swindon Borough Council

The Pulpit on Devizes Road, which opened in April 2025, is one of 812 new pubs in the Campaign for Real Ale's Good Beer Guide 2027.

Food and drink · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Developer Gleeson Land told Highworth Town Council it will submit an outline planning application this year for up to 520 homes on the old Twelve Oaks Golf Course on Lechlade Road.

Housing and living · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Borough Council's Local Plan 2043 is in its final consultation stage, and comments must be in by 11.59pm on Thursday 12 November 2026.

Council and services · Source: Swindon Borough Council

Swindon Town's Stefan Negru says competing with League One MK Dons in the FA Cup gave the squad self-belief, with Town one point off the play-offs.

Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon Advertiser

National Trust sites near Swindon have announced festive events, including a wartime walk at Coleshill on 10 November, Christmas workshops, and Christmas openings at Avebury, Lacock and Stourhead.

Things to do · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Elektroland, a Turkish robotics and unmanned ground vehicle company, is looking at Swindon as a possible site for its international expansion, according to Swindon MP Will Stone.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

More than 2,000 people went to a free fireworks display organised by Central Swindon North Parish, which the Kelly Foundation praised for being accessible.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Six West Swindon groups, including The Hub @ Toothill and the West Swindon Memory Cafe, have received community grants for costs such as fire doors, room hire and training.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Borough Council has laid fresh turf and cleaned around the Cenotaph in Regent Circus ahead of Remembrance Sunday on 8 November and Armistice Day on 11 November.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A new charity, Read Easy Swindon, is launching to teach adults to read, starting with workshops at Central and Parks libraries, and is looking for volunteers.

Education · Source: Swindon Advertiser

The Children's Emergency Unit at Great Western Hospital has marked its second anniversary, highlighting a bigger nursing team, new equipment and new feeding and sensory rooms.

Healthcare · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Councillors questioned whether Great Western Hospital can cope with 24,100 planned new homes after a report said nearly 500 patients had some form of corridor care in February 2026.

Healthcare · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Great Western Hospitals' maternity vaccination team has given more than 1,000 flu vaccines to pregnant women this winter, with walk-in clinics including an extra one today.

Healthcare · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Graffiti has been removed from several town centre buildings, including Bridge House, 1 Farnsby Street and 93-95 Commercial Road, following Swindon Borough Council's summer clean-up campaign.

Council and services · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway said his side showed they can compete with anyone after a 2-1 FA Cup loss at League One MK Dons, but called the goals conceded 'soft'.

Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Town lost 2-1 at Milton Keynes Dons in the FA Cup first round on Saturday 7 November, with Aaron Drinan scoring Town's goal just before half-time.

Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Borough Council Leader Gary Sumner says the council is committed to supporting the town's defence and advanced technology sector after an industry event at Panattoni Park.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Borough Council

Christ Church Community Centre in Old Town will serve a three-course Christmas Day dinner from 12pm to 3.30pm, with a suggested £10 donation and no one turned away.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Great Western Railway staff donated 125kg of food and household goods, enough for 360 meals, to the Swindon Food Collective in a Diwali-themed drive.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A Swindon dog club that has run competitions and training since 1925 will hold a centenary members' show at Grange Community Leisure on 19 December.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Thames Water says its hosepipe ban remains because reservoirs, rivers and groundwater have not recovered from the dry summer.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Volunteers cleaned and tidied the Bristol Street underpass on 4 November, a key walking route between the town centre, station, Railway Village and Designer Outlet.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A new Remembrance Garden of Reflection has opened at Corton Crescent, with Tommy and Mabel figures, steel wreaths and a field of poppies.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

The Savoy on Regent Street, a Wetherspoons pub that was once a cinema, has been sold to an undisclosed buyer and closes on 8 November, prompting calls to protect two blue plaques.

Food and drink · Source: BBC News

Plans to cut customer parking at the Ocotal Way Tesco from 806 to 773 spaces, to improve home delivery bays, have been approved.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Town forward Paul Glatzel will miss another four or five weeks with a knee injury and will not be back before December.

Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Ian Holloway says Swindon Town will make decisions on all six loan players when the January transfer window opens, with the club one point off the play-offs.

Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Town's League Two away game at Rotherham United in January has been moved to a 12.30pm kick-off for live Sky Sports+ coverage.

Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Borough Council is spending over £650,000 on road and footpath repairs, with more thermal patching, relining and gully cleaning across the borough in the coming months.

Transport · Source: Swindon Borough Council

BMW says its Swindon plant will run a reduced production schedule for the next two weeks after a components shortage halted production at its Oxford sister site.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Borough Council has approved new signs, including a 6m illuminated totem, for the LEPAS car dealership on Ashworth Road.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

The Swindon Story Shed, a volunteer-run travelling bookshop, has given away an estimated 5,000 books to young people over the past two years.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Commonweal School in Swindon has begun planting a 150-tree science trail and orchard to mark its 100th anniversary.

Education · Source: Swindon Borough Council

Rays Ice Cream will reopen on Friday 13 November in a shared shop with GlamoRose Cakes on High Street, Old Town, after its Devizes Road shop closed on 15 October.

Food and drink · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A developer has applied to renew permission to turn the Probation Service offices in Centenary House, Victoria Road, into 15 flats.

Housing and living · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A campaign to name new Swindon streets after local war veterans won cross-party backing at full council on 6 August; the next update is not expected until February 2027.

Council and services · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Councillor Jim Robbins is stepping down as leader of Swindon's Labour and Co-operative Group after being named General Secretary of the Co-operative Party.

Council and services · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Bat detectors installed by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust around Wroughton show healthy numbers of rare barbastelle and lesser horseshoe bats, and the Trust is seeking funding to protect them.

Parks and nature · Source: Swindon Advertiser

The A419 southbound Commonhead entry slip road will close for eight hours overnight, from 9pm on Thursday 12 November to 5am on Friday 13 November, for electrical works.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon's Bus Company will give veterans and serving personnel free journeys on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, shown with a military ID, veteran card or medals.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Croft Road at the M4 overbridge in Wroughton is down to one lane with a 30mph limit for 18 months, and several other road and footway closures are planned across the borough.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Councillors visited Swindon charity Reach Inclusive Arts, which has spent over 40 years supporting disabled and isolated people through art, drama and performance.

Arts and culture · Source: Swindon Advertiser

The Oche Shop, a specialist darts equipment retailer, opens at Godwin Court in Old Town at 10am on Saturday 7 November.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Christ Church in Old Town has marked its 175th anniversary with a celebration lunch attended by local councillors, Sir Robert Buckland and parishioners.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

The Underground Youth Club, next to North Swindon Library, is free for 11 to 16-year-olds and runs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

South Swindon Parish Council will hold free Christmas tree light switch-ons from 17 to 19 November and two weekends of Christmas in the Town Gardens, with a new trail called Written in the Trees.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

The White Horse Federation has grown to 40 schools after ten primary schools in Swindon, Highworth and Wroughton formally joined this month.

Education · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Revised plans for the former Stratton Education Centre on Clays Close switch four two-bedroom homes to three bedrooms, with officers recommending approval.

Housing and living · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Borough Council says many Railway Village reports may be waste presented wrongly for collection rather than deliberate fly-tipping, and that its Waste Wardens will keep visiting.

Council and services · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Hagbourne Copse in Blagrove reopened on 29 October after hazardous ash trees were removed, and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust plans replacement planting over the next month or so.

Parks and nature · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Town's Under-18s beat Street 3-2 in the FA Youth Cup after trailing 2-0, with Briel Da Costa's deflected cross winning it in the 82nd minute.

Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Royal Wootton Bassett High Street was closed to traffic from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday 8 November 2026 for the Remembrance Sunday parade and service, affecting the X55 bus.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Borough Council has started using thermal patching, which heats and reworks the old surface, to repair potholes across the borough.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A jigsaw artwork of 96 pieces by 110 artists from 20 care homes was unveiled at the Arts in Care Homes Grand Finale at New College in Swindon.

Arts and culture · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Isembard has opened a precision engineering factory on Paddington Drive, built in 87 days, making parts for the aerospace, defence and robotics sectors.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Mike Welsh, 76, has retired after 40 years in schools, including 35 years leading Goddard Park Community School in Park North.

Education · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Great Western Hospitals has opened two purpose-built rooms at the West Swindon Community Diagnostic Centre for testing the hearing of babies and young children.

Healthcare · Source: Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Eligible businesses in Swindon town centre, Old Town, the Railway Quarter and North Star can vote from 6 November to 3 December 2026 on a Business Improvement District. If approved, it could raise more than £500,000 a year.

Council and services · Source: Swindon Borough Council

Swindon Supermarine won their second successive 6-0 game, beating Bemerton Heath Harlequins in the Wiltshire Premier Shield.

Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A pavement parking ban is now in effect across streets in Redhouse, following a councillors' motion and support from Guide Dogs UK.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Reach Inclusive Arts is bringing back its Big Hat Cabaret, an evening of music, dance, drama and comedy by disabled artists and friends, at STEAM on Friday 27 November.

Arts and culture · Source: Swindon Link

A new round of the Growing Places Infrastructure Fund is open, offering secured loans of £100,000 to £1 million towards capital projects for businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Link

The free Day of the Dead festival returned to Wood Street and Victoria Road in Old Town on Sunday 1 November, with Mexican music, dance, street food and a lantern-lit parade.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital as a precaution after an alleged weapon attack at a Halloween party on Blunsdon Road, Haydon Wick, at around 8pm on 31 October. The injury was described as minor.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Police are appealing for information after a man filled a bag with tobacco from behind the tills at Morrisons Daily in Wroughton on Friday 30 October.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

South Swindon in Bloom has won the national RHS Community Engagement Award at Britain in Bloom, plus a string of South West in Bloom titles, thanks to more than 200 volunteers.

Community · Source: Swindon Link

The trial of two brothers charged over a shooting on St Paul's Street, Swindon, was called off at Swindon Crown Court on 2 November before a jury was sworn in.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

About 30 veterans set off from the Royal Wootton Bassett cenotaph at 9am on Thursday 5 November 2026 on a three-day charity march to Winchester Cathedral, carrying an empty stretcher for PTSD awareness.

Community · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Of 40 Swindon food businesses, schools and care settings inspected in October, 38 received a five-star food hygiene rating and two got four stars, the Swindon Advertiser reports.

Food and drink · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Borough Council will not submit its application for Borough of Sanctuary status and will ask City of Sanctuary UK to remove it from its membership list, the Swindon Advertiser reports.

Council and services · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Supermarine returned to the top of Southern League Division One South with a 6-0 Wiltshire derby win over Melksham Town on Halloween.

Sport and fitness · Source: Swindon Advertiser

An inquest has opened into the death of Marc Peter William Waterman, 45, from Swindon, who died in a crash on the A34 near Sutton Scotney on 23 October. A van hit his broken-down car while he was sitting in it.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Wiltshire Police want witnesses and dash cam footage after a black car hit another vehicle on the Magic Roundabout on Sunday night and did not stop.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Borough Council has started a 12-month trial of its five ANPR road cameras, while a Stratton St Margaret councillor has asked for the Grange Drive camera to be moved.

Transport · Source: Swindon Borough Council

Swindon Borough Council has formally reinstated its five automatic number plate recognition cameras near schools after pausing the pilot in the summer, BBC News reports.

Transport · Source: BBC News

Swindon-born actor Billie Piper has received the Marquee Award at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival in the US, after a screening of her new film Elsinore.

Arts and culture · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Staff at The Savoy on Regent Street have told the Swindon Advertiser the Wetherspoon pub will trade for the last time on Sunday 8 November, six months after it was put up for sale.

Business and economy · Source: Swindon Advertiser

A new Facebook community for wheelchair and powerchair users in Swindon and the surrounding area has been set up.

Community · Source: Peatmoor and Sparcells Community (Facebook) / Martin Russell-Raymond

Wiltshire Police arrested a 17-year-old boy after reports of disorder at a house party on Blunsdon Road on Saturday night. He has been released on bail and police are asking for footage.

Community · Source: Wiltshire Police

Thames Water says the repair to the burst pipe on Whitehill Way in West Swindon was completed overnight and the SN5 incident is now resolved. Pressure may be lower at first but should return to normal as it builds back up in the pipe.

Community · Source: Thames Water

The Ombudsman did not uphold a parent's complaint after Swindon Borough Council offered a £513 personal travel budget instead of home-to-school transport for a child with an EHC plan.

Education · Source: Swindon Advertiser (Local Democracy Reporting Service)

A winter plan for Swindon's health and care services estimates Great Western Hospital will be 81 beds short this winter, with 33 of those beds not yet covered by any planned measures.

Healthcare · Source: Greatest Hits Radio Swindon

Wichel Way, the new road from Wichelstowe to M4 junction 16 that opened on 26 October, has signs asking drivers to watch out for hedgehogs.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser

Wroughton and Wichelstowe Parish Council has written to Swindon Borough Council about gridlock and poor communication during summer roadworks; the council says its street works team has engaged and offered help with alerts.

Transport · Source: Swindon Advertiser