Twenty town centres across Wales will receive a share of £845,157 funding towards measures designed to improve the high street vitality, including measures to address vacant and derelict buildings.
The Welsh Government writes:
Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has today announced £845,157 to boost high streets and town centres across Wales.
The announcement coincides with the Welsh Government’s High Street Week, which is encouraging people to visit the shops and businesses on their local high street.
The funding will be split between 20 town centres, with each receiving up to £50,000 towards activities which seek to:
- increase the number of people visiting their town centres
- attract greater public, private and community investment in the area
- reduce the impact of vacant properties and shops
- support local businesses to help them grow and prosper
- encourage shops and businesses to become more diverse and provide a wide range of services for customers.
The funding will go towards many excellent projects to renovate empty properties and derelict buildings across Wales. In Aberdare they are funding the creation of pop-up shops in vacant buildings, while in Porth they are developing a town centre mobile phone app and loyalty scheme to encourage more visitors to the high street.
Announcing the funding, Lesley Griffiths said: ‘I am delighted to announce this funding during High Street Week, which is celebrating the vital role town centres and high streets play in the creating a sense of community and providing us with a place to shop, do business, socialise and live. Our high streets should be the heart of our towns, creating a vibrant local economy and bustling community.
‘It is true the tough economic times and the rise in popularity of online shopping have created challenges for our towns and high streets. This new funding I have announced today will be a very welcome boost for our town centres, providing a local, tailored approach to meet their needs.’
