- £10 million in Transforming Towns funding has been approved
for regeneration projects across Wales, with Wrexham receiving £5
million of the total investment.
- The Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and
Planning met with local artists at T Pawb to hear about
their experiences of working and growing their businesses within
the creative hub.
- This funding delivers on the priorities set out by the Town
Centre Taskforce, helping to create communities across Wales
where people want to live, work and visit.
The Welsh Government has announced £10 million in Transforming
Towns funding for regeneration projects across Wales, with
Wrexham receiving £5 million of the total investment.
£5 million will also support projects in Brynmawr, Neath,
Monmouth, Bala and Newport, as well as the South West Wales
Placemaking Plan.
The announcement comes as the Cabinet Minister for Local
Government, Housing and Planning, Siân Gwenllian, visited T Pawb
in Wrexham to see first-hand the impact of regeneration on the
city centre and meet artists based there.
T Pawb, which combines market stalls, studio space and gallery
facilities, has become a focal point for Wrexham's cultural and
economic regeneration, supporting local artists and traders while
drawing footfall into the city centre.
Among those the Cabinet Minister met was Liam Stokes-Massey, a
muralist who has been based at T Pawb's Shepherds Hut for more
than six years. Liam said the space has shaped his career
significantly, offering low-rent premises on the high street
alongside networking opportunities, talks, workshops and gallery
curation experience.
Rachel West, who runs The Art Bunny, has worked as a freelance
artist in Wrexham for around 14 years and has seen the local
creative scene transform dramatically over the last five to six
years. She credits T Pawb with playing a major role in her
career, including the opportunity to paint a photo wall, hold her
first solo exhibition, and open her own art shop within the
space.
The Cabinet Minister said: "It's been a real pleasure to visit T
Pawb and see the transformative impact this space has had on
Wrexham's creative community.
"Meeting artists like Liam and Rachel has shown me exactly what
can be achieved when we invest in our town centres, not just in
bricks and mortar, but in the people and ideas that bring them to
life.
"This £10 million will help build on the fantastic work we're
already seeing happening in places like Wrexham, supporting local
businesses, boosting footfall and creating spaces that
communities can be proud of. It also reflects the priorities set
out by our Town Centre Taskforce, which is helping to ensure that
regeneration is driven by what communities actually need."
Councillor , Leader of Wrexham County
Borough Council, said: I'd like to thank Siân Gwenllian and the
Welsh Government for backing Wrexham and recognising the huge
potential this city has to offer.
We've already delivered a number of major regeneration schemes
with support from Welsh Government, including the indoor markets,
High Street, Old Library creative hub and the museum.
The exciting plans we have for Henblas Street, the former
Hippodrome site and Chester Street will be another piece in the
jigsaw, as we look to help Wrexham realise its true potential as
a modern, confident city.
