New green space coming to Yeovil town centre in time for World Cup
New temporary green space at former Glovers Walk site set to open in Yeovil town centre this June
A temporary green space in Yeovil town centre will be open to the public just before the football World Cup after demolition work on a former shopping centre was completed.
Somerset Council used £2.7m from the government’s future high streets fund to purchase and demolish the Glovers Walk shopping centre near Yeovil bus station, with work getting under way to remove the buildings in April 2025.
As part of its Yeovil town centre masterplan (which went out to public consultation in the summer of 2025), the council intends to create a ‘meanwhile’ public space on the site until more concrete redevelopment proposals secure planning permission.
The council has now confirmed that this new green space will soon be completed, and should be open to residents and visitors in early-June – just before the first group games in the World Cup get under way in north America.
This comes a mere fortnight after Yeovil Art Space announced it had secured £400,000 for a two-year programme of cultural events in the town centre, including around the Glovers Walk area.
Under the Yeovil town centre masterplan (which was formally adopted by the council in February), the Glovers Walk site will eventually host a six-storey development with the ground floor being retained as commercial space.
The first two floors will be set aside for local services, with plans for an NHS hub (which could include a new doctors’ surgery, dentist, pharmacy or other similar services depending on local need).
These floors will also include a community hub, a café and co-working space (such as offices where hot-desking could be offered).
The top four storeys will provide up to 108 flats or maisonettes, which will be marketed at “NHS key workers and young professionals” – similar to the ongoing redevelopment of the former C Block at County Hall in Taunton.
As part of this redevelopment, the existing bus station will be replaced with a new ‘mobility hub’, providing a smoother connection from bus services to the town centre shops and services.
This hub could have a hotel built on top of it, providing overnight accommodation to boost the town’s cultural offer and nightlife.
The council said that a formal planning application for this redevelopment would come forward within the next 12 months – meaning the new green space will have plenty of time to bed in over the summer and into the autumn.
A spokesperson said: “Demolition at Glovers Walk was completed at the end of January. Work to enable the short-term use of the site in nearing completion and we currently expect this to be complete in the first week of June.
“The site is being seeded, so we will need to ensure the grass is properly established before we use it. This is weather-dependent but it will open for use as soon as possible.
“The route from Middle Street to the bus station will reopen on completion of the current work in early-June, as will the accessible toilets.”
The new green space will also serve as a focal point for ‘Yeovil Reimagine’, a two-year programme of “flagship cultural events” and “public realm art commissions” being driven by local charity Yeovil Art Space.
The £400,000 programme – jointly funded by the council and Arts Council England – will “bring new cultural offers for the community and support new creative enterprises led by young people”.
Phil Gibby, Arts Council England’s area director for the south west, said: “We’re proud to invest in Yeovil Art Space through our National Lottery place partnership fund.
“We know culture has the power to revitalise high streets, connect communities and build pride in place, yet historically not everyone has had equal access to these opportunities.
“By creating more ways for people to participate in creative experiences close to home, programmes like this are helping our investment reach more people across the region, and we look forward to seeing local resident’s benefit.”
Further details about the events programme can be found at www.yeovilartspace.uk/yeovilreimagine.
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, added: “This is a fantastic project which will help to breathe new life into the town centre of Yeovil, working in tandem with the ongoing regeneration work.
“It’s particularly satisfying that this will harness the talents of young people in our communities who will help leave a lasting impression on their town.”
Regarding the long-term redevelopment of Glovers Walk, a spokesperson for the council stated: “We are working on the regeneration plans and have completed the early stages of the design.
“We are aiming for a planning application in the late-spring of 2027.”