Housing and Local Government Minister Hannah Blythyn visited Colwyn Bay on Thursday to see how Welsh Government investment is helping to boost jobs, businesses and revitalise the town centre.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The Minister saw how £600,000 investment in 7 Abergele Road is transforming the listed building into a meeting and office space for the creative industries owned by Conwy Council, working with the North Wales Development Trust.
Hannah Blythyn said:
We have invested more than £2 million in projects to transform empty buildings in Colwyn Bay in the last year alone; as well as the Abergele Road office space, we are investing £1.4 million in a commercial property investment scheme, to bring empty commercial space back into use and to spruce up existing town centre shop fronts. This is part of the Welsh Government’s Targeted Regeneration Investment programme.
I saw how £6.7 million Welsh Government and Conwy Council investment in the waterfront has helped to improve the promenade as well as beach access
I’ve seen how the new council offices are bringing council workers back into the town centre, key sites that need redevelopment like the Imperial Hotel, and how the Porth Eirias development has made a difference locally.”
Welsh Government investment in Colwyn Bay is part of its overall Regeneration strategy which is seeing overall investment of over £800 million across Wales since 2014.
Cllr Louise Emery, Cabinet Member at Conwy County Borough Council, said:
I’m delighted to have been able to show the Minister the regeneration work within the town, the positive impact it has had, and how the Targeted Regeneration Investment funding will enable us to continue with the regeneration of the town
The Welsh Government’s flagship Targeted Regeneration Investment programme is providing £100 million of capital funding across Wales over three years to support regeneration projects in town centres and neighbouring areas.
This funding is supported by estimated further investment of at least £60 million from other organisations and businesses, providing an overall boost of £160 million to communities all over Wales.