HUGE CASH BOOST Inset, rough FOR TOWN
Minister unveils £2.5m worth of EU money for waterfront project
● Economy Secretary Ken Skates in Caernarfon on Monday to reveal the large grant. plans for the waterfront
AN ambitious scheme to transform a town’s fortunes took another step forward after it was announced it will receive £2.5 million of EU funds.
The Caernarfon Town and Waterfront Regeneration initiative will create more than 400 jobs, according to economy secretary Ken Skates, who visited the site on a North Wales tour to make the announcement.
The developments are part of the Welsh Government’s wider EU funded Tourism Attractor Destination programme, led by Visit Wales, which aims to create 11 must-see destinations to drive interest in Wales as a holiday destination.
Organisations including the Welsh Government, Caernarfon Harbour Trust, Galeri, Caernarfon town council and the Welsh Highland Railway will work together with Caernarfon council on the scheme.
As part of the project, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway terminus is being transformed to ensure an improved visitor experience and provide opportunities to link the station with the heart of the town.
With more than 100,000 visitors a year, it is a key gateway to Caernarfon.
The money will also be used to broaden the range of facilities at Galeri, including options for things to do when it rains.
Proposed work involves extending Galeri to build two new cinema screens, new offices and a creative work space.
And work will also be undertaken to ensure linkages between three key sites within the town are improved so that visitors can flow to and from the Castle, Railway Terminus and Island Site with greater ease.
Mr Skates said: “This investment is going to be transformational for Caernarfon – it’s going to add a lot of vibrancy, activity and energy.
“It will have a huge impact in terms of enhancing Caernarfon’s reputation and desirability as a tourist destination.
“And in particular, it will create opportunities for young people.
“We estimate around 423 jobs will be created across the programme so it will have a big impact and, of course, there are going to be other jobs supported by this investment. The Highland Railway terminus is expected to open in spring of next year.”
Mr Skates said having realised bad weather can impact adversely on Wales as a tourism destination, the scheme identifies opportunities to invest more in all-weather attractions.
“The plans for the Galeri, which include a creative enterprise centre, are transformational for the town,” he added.
“In rain or shine Caernarfon will be a top destination in its own right.”
The Tourism Attractor Destinations scheme is backed by £27.7m from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government – the single biggest EU investment made in the tourism sector.
It hopes to play a part in growing the tourism sector in Wales by 10% by 2020.
The funding approval for Caernarfon will unlock a £14 million tourism regeneration programme of investment from the Welsh Government and Arts Council Wales.
The wider project also includes work to redevelop the Island site adjacent to the Castle into a mixed use development incorporating business premises, visitor attractions and creative workshops and spaces. This will be led by Gwynedd County Council.
Cllr Mandy Williams-Davies, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Economy, said: “This is a huge vote of confidence in Caernarfon and a further boost to our efforts to regenerate the town and surrounding area.”
A further programme led by Cadw will also be submitted for approval as part of the ERDF Tourism Attractor Destination Programme.
This will aim to restore and convert historic assets at the entrance of Caernarfon Castle and The King’s Gate, including significant enhancement to facilities for visitors to reinforce and build on its status.