Rugby ace aiming to spruce up building
A FORMER Ospreys and Wales rugby star wants to turn a disused building into shops, accommodation and office space.
Ian Gough, who owns the former Family Value building on Commercial Street, Maesteg, plans to transform it and put it back to good use.
Mr Gough says he is determined to restore the historic building and “get it back looking how it was in its heyday”.
“It’s really exciting. The building has been derelict coming up to 15 years now and it seems to hold a special place in the hearts of everyone I know in Maesteg,” he said.
Mr Gough and officers from Bridgend Council have secured a £250,000 grant from the Welsh Government to refurbish the building.
Plans are in place to build two shops on the ground floor and basement as well as replacement shopfronts, a new roof, and new windows.
Separate plans are pending to transform the upper floors of the building into accommodation.
“It was quite an iconic building and the exterior of it is so nice. It would be good to get it back to its original state and retain as many features as we can,” said Mr Gough.
“It’s pretty much falling down at the moment but within six to eight months we’re hoping the whole shell of the building will be completed with new windows and a roof.
“With Covid and everything else it’s been quite an effort to get it to where it is now. We’re in a really good place so we’re hoping to get started on it by the middle of April.
“It’s really exciting to get that part of the high street and that building up to a really good standard. It’ll be a fantastic project to push through so it’s been worth the wait.
“We want to attract more footfall down Commercial Street. We want it to be bustling.”
Mr Gough says he knows Maesteg well because his sister used to own a catering business in the town.
Ross Penhale-thomas, independent councillor for Maesteg West, said: “The building has been an eyesore for as long as I can remember and has been allowed to fall to wrack and ruin. This investment is very welcome.”