Warwick's town centre has a "good mix" of independent and national shops and is boosted by a "vibrant tourist economy".

That is according to a report published earlier this year as part of 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 Warwick has a "strong evening economy".

"Warwick is a relatively small and attractive historic market town," the study produced by Lambert Smith Hampton said. 

"It benefits from its strategic location and is well connected to national road and rail network. 

"The centre benefits from a good mix of independent businesses, and its market also makes an important contribution to the town's offer."

The town centre's strengths included:

• Historic heritage and buildings. 
• There is a well-balanced mix of shops, and shop types of multiples and independents. 
• Attracts many visitors and therefore has a vibrant tourist economy. 
• Strong F&B representation with the majority of leisure services being made up of cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs. 
• Strong evening economy. 
• Low vacancy rate.
• Good level of parking. 

However, the report also found a number of threats to Warwick's town centre. These included the small size of units "not suitable for modern retailer requirements" and the number of listed buildings making planning and development "more difficult".

"We are not aware of any immediate barriers to entry to businesses," the report added.

"However, in the current economic climate the main barriers to investment for new and existing businesses will relate to the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, rising inflation as well as the impact of the cost of living crisis. 

"This will have an impact on the operation and running of all types of business including both multiples and independents.

"It is also likely to be the case that the historic form of the centre does not lend itself to have the space to support modern retailer requirements."

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

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.