City Status
In 1993 Swindon Borough Council and the Swindon Chamber of Commerce unveiled a joint public relations venture "Swindon - City for the 21st Century" to raise awareness of the town and gauge public opinion for a potential bid for city status. The partnership mounted an exhibition in London but the project stalled.
By the 1990s, Swindon had become one of the most important centres along the M4 Corridor. During this period the town continued to attract new, predominantly hi-tech, companies to the town and encouraged relocation. However the town's infrastructure and amenities did not develop to the same level.
The borough council made formal bids for city status in 1999 and 2002 but both were unsuccessful.
To overcome the problems raised at the failed city bids, the town council invited an Urban Regeneration Company into the town to oversee the blueprint for revitalising much of the town centre.
Read more about this topic: History Of Local Government In Swindon
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