‘This is how we hope to make Aberdare shine again’
What people are saying about the campaign to restore ‘rundown’ town:
FOUR festivals a year, a major supermarket in the centre of town and carrier bags advertising local shopping.
These are some of the ideas thought up amid the ongoing debate over how best to halt the decline of Aberdare.
The ideas have been announced in response to last week’s Cynon Valley Leader story about hundreds were backing a plan to turn around the fortunes of the town on a Facebook group Call For A Public Meeting On The Future Of Aberdare.
By Monday, the group, started by resident Gareth Cole, had more than 1,600 members.
Now individuals and groups such as the Aberdare Business and Tourism Association (ABTA), AM Vikki Howells and MP Ann Clwyd, have had their say on what is being done for the town, and what needs to be done in the future.
According to Jim Bradley of ABTA, a mission statement was agreed by all parties, that read: “Our vision is to move forward in the face of changing demands, to rejuvenate the town centre and create a retail experience that is both satisfying and vibrant; to encourage investment and to work together with partners that will enhance the local economy; to help provide an attractive and safe environment to shop and enjoy leisure time; to link with the tourist industry in order that the rich local history of the town is emphasised and publicised, so that once again the title of Queen of the Valleys is restored to Aberdare.”
He said just two of the “many ideas” proposed for the town included positioning a “major” supermarket in the centre, or connecting Tesco “directly” and making walkways from the car parks to the shops.
He also said the association was pushing for “three or four festivals a year” helped by Rhondda Cynon Taf council or Welsh Government funding, as well as a way of encouraging shoppers to the town such as Aberdarebranded shopping bags.
He added: “In short, use or lose it. I can assure you that we are fighting to reverse [the decline]. If everyone stepped up to the plate then we could all then make the difference and return genuine vitality to Aberdare.”
Ann Clwyd said the Cynon Valley had “failed to recover from several economic blows”, but that she was “very proud of the history of the Valley and even prouder of the community spirit that has built up around it”.
She added: “I completely understand local people’s anxiety to take matters into their own hands. What I can say is that ABTA’s recent meetings have been deliberately geared towards addressing these concerns. Furthermore, I have held separate meetings in Parliament in relation to making economic improvements in the Cynon Valley.”
She said the vision for the town involves encouraging investment and to link with the tourist industry “in order that the rich local history of the town is emphasised and publicised”, adding: “As part of this, we are hoping to reinstate the Civic Society, and I would be pleased to hear from anyone interested in helping out on this front.
“It is unfortunate that our recent ABTA meetings have coincided with a particularly large number of businesses closing their high street branches in Aberdare, as they are all over the UK. I am pleased that Cynon Valley residents are taking an initiative on this. I hope that Mr Cole continues with his group, and we can co-operate on making progress towards the same goal.”
Ms Howells said she “fully understood” the frustration in Aberdare, but that it was “worth noting” funding has been provided by the Welsh Government and Rhondda Cynon Taf council for schemes like improving the former Boot Hotel, redeveloping the Palladium site and renovating the Black Lion.
She also said the Welsh Government had enabled events like Yaberdaberdare and Faberdare to happen, which have brought in “large numbers of visitors” and that the rate relief scheme currently supports “the greatest number of businesses of any such policy anywhere in the UK”.
She added: “In the meantime, it must be fully appreciated that creating a vibrant town centre requires joint contribution from all parts of the community.
“Politicians, governments and councils must put the policies in place so that town centres can thrive.
“Business owners must offer products and services people want, and must contribute to and take pride in their community.
“Crucially also, local residents must use their town centres, supporting small shops and enterprises rather than just using supermarkets or the internet.
“There are over 150 independent retailers in Aberdare and I for one am proud to shop in our town centre.”
A spokesman for Rhondda Cynon Taf council said it “continues to proactively support the regeneration of Aberdare town centre”.
“Most recently, the council has provided significant funding towards the £1.1m redevelopment of the old Boot Hotel on Victoria Square, which will bring back into use a prominent building in the heart of Aberdare.
“The Aberdare Regeneration Scheme has seen more than £7.8m invested in Aberdare town centre in recent years, which included significant contributions from the council, Welsh Government, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cadw, as well as European funding.
“This transformed the town centre landscape with new pavements, roads, street lighting, street furniture and shop fronts, while various other projects have also been delivered by the council – such as the new-look Library Square, the revitalised town hall, and improvements to the Con Club and Market Tavern properties. The old Palladium site in Canon Street has also been developed by Newydd Housing.
“There has also recently been a restoration project to decorative mosaics, and improvements to the two main archways connecting the indoor market with Commercial Street and High Street Car Park with Canon Street. The council has also recently completed the refurbishment of the Monk Street public conveniences.
“To ensure the maximum opportunities are created for local businesses, from April 2017, parking charges in the various council-owned car parks in Aberdare town centre were reduced on a permanent basis in a bid to attract more people into the town, which followed a consultation with residents and businesses. That included the introduction of a new shortstay ticket of 50p, and allday Saturday parking for £1.
“The council is also investigating the possibility of providing free publicaccess wi-fi across our town centres.
“The significant investment in education and leisure facilities at the edge of the town centre, which the council and Welsh Government have supported, all support increased public footfall for the town centre and demonstrate the continued enhancements taking place.”