Glamorgan Gazette

Beth’s positive outlook is what town needs

- Councillor Charles Smith Cabinet Member, Regenerati­on and Economic Developmen­t Bridgend County Borough Council

IT was good to read the report about local hairdresse­r Beth Daniel, who has become chair of the Bridgend Traders’ Forum.

Congratula­tions to Beth, and I was also very pleased when, at the latest meeting of the Bridgend Business Improvemen­t District Steering Group, Beth indicated her willingnes­s in principle to become a director of the BID company which is now being created.

Beth’s positive and optimistic comments about the town centre were a breath of fresh air, and I believe the vast majority of traders and residents support her outlook. We reject the way certain folk like to spread negative comments on social media and elsewhere, to talk down our county town.

I look forward to working with Beth and her colleagues to make the most of the opportunit­ies provided by a number of positive developmen­ts which are now coming together. These include the new Rhiw car park, the town centre residentia­l community being created in partnershi­p with Coastal Housing, the ongoing access study for Queen Street, Dunraven Place and Market Street, forthcomin­g events, and Business Improvemen­t projects which will be spearheade­d by the traders themselves. There are exciting times ahead, with town traders, the BID company, county borough council, town council, Welsh Government and other agencies working together.

And in the immediate future, in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year, please be sure to support your local shops, taking full advantage of the free weekend parking offer, already started at the Rhiw, and available in all council-owned town centre car parks throughout December.

 ??  ?? Beth Daniel, new chairwoman of the Bridgend Traders’ Forum
Beth Daniel, new chairwoman of the Bridgend Traders’ Forum

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