Latest news with #TransformingTowns
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham MS shares an update on Government funding for region
MS for Wrexham One of the most important parts of my job has always been to help ensure Wrexham receives its fair share of funding. In recent months, there have been some tangible examples of Welsh Government investment making a positive difference, specifically in the city centre. Much of the improvements have come via the Transforming Towns programme, which aims to help communities revitalise their high streets and public spaces, honouring their past and investing in the future. Wrexham has secured more than £10m from this scheme and some examples of where the money has been spent includes the newly refurbished indoor Butchers' and General Markets, which received £2.5m in grant funding. Residents who've visited the city centre recently will have seen the improvements on High Street. The pedestrian-friendly space has enabled the neighbouring bars and restaurants to open international-style areas for people to sit and dine outside. While these are examples of work that has been completed, there are also further projects in the pipeline. In the not-too-distant future, Wrexham's 'Museum of Two Halves' will reopen on Regent Street. The project will see the development of Wales' first ever football museum, alongside the enhanced and expanded Wrexham Museum. The Old Library on Queens Square is also being redeveloped and will become a new creative hub. All of this has been delivered thanks to the Transforming Towns programme and earlier this month, the Welsh Government announced it is allocating an additional £17m to the fund this financial year, resulting in the budget being increased from £40m to £57m. It means even more regeneration projects can take place and I hope Wrexham will once again benefit. In addition to Transforming Towns, extensive conservation work is nearing completion at St Giles Church. Cadw, the Welsh Government's historical environment service, has contributed over £167,000 through its Historic Buildings Capital Grant Programme towards the conservation project. This grant supported masonry repairs to the south aisle and chancel, re-leading the chancel roof, and renewing rainwater goods with adaptations to manage heavy rainfall more efficiently as part of climate change adaptation measures. The project has also supported two apprentices in stone masonry. St Giles is a celebrated landmark and one of the finest examples of religious architecture in Wales. I am pleased this investment will help preserve this wonderful, listed building for future generations. If you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: or call 01978 355743.
Rhyl Journal
07-08-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Rhyl: Queen's Market draws crowds as regeneration continues
Jayne Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, visited Queen's Market in Rhyl on August 5, describing it as a "lively new space" that is already attracting visitors and generating positive feedback. Backed by around £6.5 million from the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns fund, the market is part of wider regeneration efforts to breathe new life into the town centre. Ms Bryant said: "I am delighted to be back in Rhyl and see Queen's Market for myself, one of the key sites in the redevelopment of Rhyl town centre and a project which has benefitted from around £6.5m worth of support through the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns fund. "Offering a range of retail and food outlets, an events area and outdoor dining, this lively new space will create jobs, attract visitors, and breathe new life into the town centre." During her visit, Ms Bryant toured the market and events space, met stallholders, and spoke with managing directors from the company operating the facility. She was joined by council leader Jason McLellan, chairman Arwel Roberts, lead member for local development and planning Alan James, Vale of Clwyd MS Gareth Davies, and project programme managers. The new market includes 16 food and retail units, a double-sided bar, and a large events space that has already hosted popular shows and concerts. An outdoor raised and covered decking area provides space for visitors to dine al fresco. Cllr McLellan said: "This amazing facility has been open for almost a month now, and we are extremely pleased with how the opening few weeks have gone. "This is one of the key projects in terms of the regeneration efforts in Rhyl." He highlighted the positive response from the community and the collaborative atmosphere created by the market's vendors. Cllr McLellan said: "The market is filled with talented, high-quality vendors, who have created a collaborative community atmosphere here. "There has been some well-received entertainment on show in the events space, and the community feedback about the market space has been really positive." Queen's Market is the first phase of redeveloping the historic Queen's Buildings site on Rhyl promenade. Funding came from Denbighshire County Council, the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, and the Pride of Place and Natural Environment: Rhyl, Prestatyn & Denbigh Programme. The investment supported demolition of the unsafe, derelict buildings and construction of the new market. Cllr McLellan said: "I am so glad to see this project up and running after a really successful opening period. "There is over 120 years of history at this site, and it is great to see this latest chapter start."
Business News Wales
05-08-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Extra £17m Unveiled for Town and City Centre Regeneration
The Welsh Government has allocated an additional £17 million to help local authorities deliver regeneration projects in town and city centres. The funding boost increases the Transforming Towns budget for 2025-26 from £40 million to £57 million. The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, announced the funding while visiting exemplar regeneration sites in Wrexham. Wrexham city centre is currently benefitting from more than £10 million in Transforming Towns funding, with works either delivered or nearing completion. This includes the newly refurbished indoor Butchers' Market, which received £2.5 million in grant funding from the Welsh Government. The improvements have created quality independent retail provision, increased footfall and enhanced city centre vibrancy. High Street improvements have also created pedestrian-friendly spaces with green infrastructure and international-style areas for bars and restaurants. The Cabinet Secretary said: 'Projects like the revitalised Butchers' Market demonstrate how our funding creates jobs, supports local businesses and makes town centres vibrant places where people want to live, work and visit. 'Through the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns programme, we have invested more than £156 million over the past three years and this additional £17 million will accelerate that progress, breathing new life into town centres across Wales and delivering the economic growth that our communities deserve.' Councillor Nigel Williams, Wrexham Council's Lead Member for Economy, Business and Tourism, said: 'The city centre remains at the heart of our local economy and identity, and that's why the Transforming Towns programme has been so important to us. 'The Butchers' Market, General Market and the improvements to High Street and the surrounding area are great examples of how we're working with Welsh Government to reimagine and re-energise key elements of the city.' Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: 'I'd like to thank the Cabinet Secretary Jayne Bryant for her incredible support, and for working with us to really transform some of our key high street infrastructure and buildings. 'Wrexham is a fantastic city and the funding we've received through the Transforming Towns initiative has made a huge difference.'
Business News Wales
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Business Leaders Welcome New City Centre Office Scheme in Swansea
Two Swansea business leaders have given the thumbs-up to a new office development which has recently been officially opened in the city centre. Adam Gibbons and Carwyn Davies say the 71/72 Kingsway scheme will complement others to create more city centre footfall and spending while also meeting the need for more high-quality office accommodation in Swansea. Three tenants have already been named for the development – financial company Futures First, flexible workspace provider IWG, and travel and leisure company TUI. Tenant fitouts will now take place at the development ahead of staff moving in. Developed by Swansea Council, the 104,000 square foot scheme is being part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal and the Welsh Government through its Transforming Towns programme. Set to accommodate up to 600 jobs, the development is estimated to be worth £32.6 million a year to Swansea's economy. It is anticipated the scheme will be 100% let in the coming months as advanced discussions continue for all its remaining space. Adam Gibbons, Estates Manager at Centurion, owners of the Quadrant Shopping Centre, said: 'The shift to online shopping means it's now harder than ever for retailers to attract the kind of numbers they need in-store to thrive, so schemes like this that create more city centre footfall and spending are to be welcomed. 'As well as helping support our existing businesses, the extra footfall means there's more chance of attracting other shops and businesses to Swansea city centre in future to help boost the offer that's already here.' Carwyn Davies is the Managing Director of Hacer Developments – the company which is constructing the new 'living building' development close to the 71/72 Kingsway scheme. Made up of the former Woolworths unit and a new 12-storey tower, the scheme – once complete later this year – will include an educational facility, residential apartments, shops, offices, and a courtyard. It will also include living walls and roofs, along with rooftop solar panels, battery storage and gardens. Carwyn said: 'The combination of our scheme with 71/72 Kingsway and other developments either complete, ongoing or planned for Swansea shows the public and private sectors are working more closely together than ever before with a shared goal of making the city centre more vibrant. 'This will lead to thousands more people living and working in the city centre, helping to create employment, protect jobs, support business, attract new investment and position Swansea as a leading city for innovation. 'Having quality office space also gives businesses the facilities they need to further invest in Swansea and grow.' The 71/72 Kingsway scheme also includes an event hall and spaces for food and beverage businesses. A green rooftop terrace with views over Swansea Bay also features, along with solar panels on top of the building and heat recovery systems to minimise energy use.
Wales Online
08-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
The former Caerphilly indoor market is being turned into a new apartment and office scheme
The former Caerphilly indoor market is being turned into a new apartment and office scheme The development from Linc Cymru will see 71 apartments new commercial units and public space (Image: RPWALTON ) Work has started demolishing the site of the former indoor market in Caerphilly that will make way for a £21m mixed-use scheme that will include 72 apartments. The project on Pentrebane Street in the centre of the town is being led by Linc Cymru (part of housing association Pobl Group) with support from Caerphilly County Borough Council and the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns programme. As well as 72 apartments the scheme will also provide seven commercial units, designed to attract a variety of businesses, and new public space. Artist impression fo the mixed-use scheme from Linc Cymru in Caerphilly. Jayne Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government said of the development:"The demolition and development of this site is an important milestone in the ambitious plans for Caerphilly's town centre. "With the help of around £6m Transforming Towns funding from the Welsh Government, this scheme will deliver much-needed housing in the town centre along with commercial units, which will go towards increasing housing supply in Caerphilly, supporting local businesses, and breathing new life into the high street." Article continues below Jamie Pritchard, deputy leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, added:"We're delighted to see the development of Caerphilly progress. The demolition of the old market at Pentrebane Street will create housing, open space, and a healthy mix of commercial and retail units. This will allow more people to live and work in our town. "Through extensive community engagement and consultation, we know that housing and new commercial opportunities is a major topic for Caerphilly residents and we're pleased to be able to address that through the work of the Caerphilly Town 2035 placemaking plan. "This project will go some way towards injecting some vibrancy into the area, so we look forward to getting on with the job." The former indoor market building in Caerphilly Grant Prosser, head of development (east) at Pobl Group said: "We welcome the start of demolition at Pentrebane Street as a key step towards transforming this part of Caerphilly town centre. It marks another important milestone in the ongoing regeneration plans for the town centre. "We have been working in partnership with Caerphilly Council and once the site is ready, we look forward to delivering a development that offers safe, high-quality homes alongside vibrant commercial units and shared green spaces. This project is about creating a place where people can live well, feel connected, and be part of a thriving community." Article continues below
