£4.7M BOOST TO HELP REVITALISE ANGLESEY TOWN
ANGLESEY Council has been successful in a bid for £4.7m to revitalise Wales’ biggest port town. The Welsh Government and EU funding will support the construction of new business units in Penrhos and the reconstruction of Holyhead’s historic Market Hall.
The £3.9m development on the former Heliport site at Penrhos Industrial Estate, recently given planning permission, will provide more than 30,000 square feet of office, light industrial and storage space for businesses, and will support the low carbon energy sector.
According to the council, the development could create more than 40 fulltime jobs on the site, which has lain empty since the 1980s after a helicopter service between Holyhead and Dublin was grounded after just 10 weeks.
Announcing the successful grant bid, Mark Drakeford AM, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, said: “This investment will help ensure Holyhead has suitable infrastructure in place to enable businesses to flourish in the growing low-carbon sector and create prosperity for North Wales.”
The ongoing reconstruction of the town’s Market Hall will also receive more than £818,000 to complete its redevelopment into a modern information, business and community centre, which is also set to house the town centre library.
Welcoming the investment, Cllr Carwyn Jones, economic development portfolio holder, added: “We are determined to grow the local economy and create more job opportunities on Anglesey.
“That’s why we’re working hard to attract private sector projects, more investment and funding, which will aid regeneration on several fronts. There are an unprecedented number of major private sector projects under development on Anglesey. We want to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place so that the island benefits from these exciting business opportunities.
“I’m grateful to both colleagues in Welsh Government and ERDF for working in partnership with us to provide these new business units and the exciting Market Hall project in Holyhead. The new Market Hall will preserve an important civic building and a significant piece of Holyhead’s rich history.
“The refurbished building will also create a focal point for the local community and a meaningful space for its resi- dents. It will also provide a home to a brand new library and serve as a hub to direct visitors to local tourism places of interest.” The Anglesey council-led project has been funded by £2.3m of EU funds in a joint venture with the Welsh Government, with £1.5m of investment provided by Economy Secretary Ken Skates AM. Rebecca Evans AM, housing and regeneration minister, said: “Building for the Future is regenerating town centres and surrounding areas in Wales by refurbishing or redeveloping derelict or under-used land and buildings and bringing them back to life. “The redevelopment of the Market Hall will create an exciting new resource in the centre of town.”