Church Walk set to undergo major improvements

The works, which are part of the ongoing £1.8 million Hinckley High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) scheme, aim to make the area more welcoming to shoppers and visitors. They are expected to be finished by spring 2024. 

As part of the improvement works to the Church Walk access road, there will be some temporary changes to Church Walk car park and vehicle access. Church Walk car park will be open for disabled parking only from 2 January until late February 2024. The nearest alternative car parks are on St Mary’s Road, Castle car park (to the rear of Jaspers store off Hill Street) and Stockwell Head. 

Church Walk will be closed to vehicles (except for access to the church) and there will be no access to the vehicle turning circle at the top of Church Walk. More information on Hinckley High Street Heritage Action Zone. Officers are making contact with businesses who will be affected to make alternative arrangements for servicing and access to their premises during the works. 

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the works, however there may be some minor diversions for pedestrians moving between Argents Mead and Castle Street while works are ongoing over the Church Walk access road and car park. 

The plans for the proposed public realm improvements, which are earmarked for the upper area of Church Walk to where the road and pavements joins Castle Street, follow consultation with visitors, residents and local businesses and meet the strict requirements set down by Historic England.

They aim to make the most of the character features and to improve walking and movement around the town, particularly between Castle Street and Argents Mead.

Leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Stuart Bray said:

This is a key area of the town centre for shoppers and visitors to the town and this scheme, along with the renovation of shop fronts and restoration of jitties in the town centre, will help to make the area more attractive to residents, businesses, tourists and investors. I would like to thank residents, businesses, and visitors in advance for their patience and apologise for any short-term inconvenience as we undertake these important improvements to the town centre’s public spaces. We intend to fully re open this popular town centre carpark when the works are completed retaining all current spaces.