THE TIME IS RIGHT
Town’s set for boom so new ventures can cash in, says Hwb boss
A TRAVEL holiday expert in charge of helping regenerate Caernarfon says the historic town has an exciting future.
Gavin Owen, former general manager at Silver Star Holidays and chair of the chamber of trade, will now lead the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) Hwb.
Businesses voted to set up the BID area in Caernarfon - which sees a levy paid by firms towards a regeneration cash pot.
BID manager Mr Owen believes the next five years will see the town boom with major regeneration projects alongside business investment.
He said he plans to use his expertise in the travel industry to work with the local authority and businesses to make Caernarfon a “destination” for visitors and local people.
One of the first things to launch will be a free town wi-fi in January giving everyone mobile coverage in the town centre.
He said: “I have been organising holidays for more than 10 years and I know what makes a destination, what people and operators are looking for.
“I want to use this experience to help Caernarfon reach its potential. This town is unique, there is the heritage and alongside this is the language and culture.
“This is the Welshest town in Wales and we can use this as a strength to bring people here.
“I want to support local people to open businesses and get involved in regenerating the town.”
There are major regenerations schemes in the town, from the £3.5m for the Cei Llechi (Slate Quay) project which will transform the area into a hub for craftsmen to the creation of a new Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway station.
Mr Owen said: “On top of that we have money being spent transforming derelict buildings in the town centre. This is already working to bring new investment here and the BID can support that.”
The BID has a funding pot of £90,000 per annum but Mr Owen says this is just the tip of the iceberg.
He said: “This is not an unsubstantial amount but we can bid for more for the town.
“For example we are working with Gwynedd council on a bid for more than £120K for a website and marketing campaign to help raise the profile of the town.”
As well as funding for capital projects there are other simple steps that can help regenerate the town.
He said: “It can range from having a clean and attractive town to bringing businesses together to help each other. It can be things like improving the areas where people walk into town to give that right impression when people come here.
“There are also lots of organisations here doing good work already that we can try to support.
“We want to create a buzz in the town and then take this to market the town to the rest of the world.”
He added: “I really believe this is an exciting time for the town. I would urge people thinking about starting a business that the time is right to open in Caernarfon.”