The Welsh Government has allocated an additional £17m to
help local authorities deliver regeneration projects that will
transform town and city centres across Wales.
The funding boost increases the Transforming Towns budget for
2025-26 from £40 million to £57 million to support more projects
that can deliver on our regeneration ambitions.
This investment will create jobs, boost economic activity and
breathe new life into high streets and town centres
nationwide.
The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, , 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 , 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 , Leader of Wrexham Council,
said: “I'd like to thank the Cabinet Secretary 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.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Applications for the additional funding will be processed through
established Transforming Towns channels, with local authorities
able to propose projects for immediate implementation in the
2025-26 financial year.
