An ambition to bring “new nighttime experiences” to Bracknell town centre is in the council’s plan for the future of the borough.

A draft of the plan says Bracknell Forest Council wants to “extend the success” of the regeneration of the town centre by improving leisure and nightlife in the town.

Many people came forward to say they want to see more nightlife in Bracknell town centre after news that plans to build The Deck on the former site of Bentalls were scrapped last week. The Deck would have provided space for bars and shops if it had gone ahead.

The draft plan – which was published this week, but likely written before news that The Deck had been scrapped – says: “Over the last 10 years, there has been significant regeneration of Bracknell town centre to create a lively and welcoming destination for visitors and residents.

“There is further ambition to extend the success through leisure and nighttime experiences”.

It adds that the council wants to ensure Bracknell town centre “continues to thrive and be a destination of choice” between now and 2027. It says it will measure this by hoping to see an increase in visits to the town centre, as well as an increase in town centre homes.

READ MORE: What do residents want to replace plans for The Deck?

The hope for more nightlife is part of a much broader strategy – known as a council plan – laying out the council’s vision for what it wants to achieve before elections in 2027.

It is the first council plan since the Labour Party took control of the council in elections earlier this year.

Other aims include making sure residents have a safe and affordable place to live improving care services and boosting local transport networks.

In her introduction to the draft, council leader Mary Temperton said the plan was “unreservedly ambitious” and that it would be a “challenge to achieve everything set out in it.”

READ MORE: Bracknell Forest Council could sell properties to cope with budget

Councillor Temperton also said the borough “challenges and changes” over the next four years. These include rising demand for services and stretching finances.

She said: “We are experiencing, alongside residents, the financial challenges where costs are rising at an unsustainable rate. At the same time, our funding is not increasing to match rising costs and we continue to face uncertainty for future years of funding.”

But she added: “We are starting from a good position, the majority of our schools offer excellent education, we have various and thriving businesses based here, and our natural environment clean and accessible.

“We will be doing more in the coming years to connect with and listen to residents – working together to improve and deliver quality services.”