FESTIVAL SITE NOW
AS SHOPS across Wales opened their doors this week there was not much evidence of an economic restart in one corner of Ebbw Vale. At Festival Park there is little cause for celebration.
A number of outlets, already struggling pre-pandemic, have been dealt their final blows. They will remain closed, for good.
Holland and Barrett, Pavers and John Jenkins are among the names most recently added to the list of empty units that flank deserted walkways. A site that once offered such promise for tourism in Blaeanu Gwent has been decimated and the local community devastated.
Hardly a soul is seen where thousands of visitors would attend every day.
Local shopper Chris Sheen and his wife usually come for their daily exercise. Both agree the park’s days could be numbered unless there is drastic change to the facility soon.
“It’s completely dead, and we’re now realising what a terrible shame that is,” said Chris with a bereaved smile.
“This place used to be full of shops that were always packed with people, but whether by accident or design there is just nothing left, and that could be a massive hit for the area.
“People used to visit here from all over Wales as they could come and have a lovely day out, but at the moment the sad truth is there’s just nothing here to visit any more.
“It’s an asset lost to the town unless something is done soon, so hopefully it happens, but if I’m honest I can’t see it.”
The Garden Festival in Ebbw Vale began life as part of a national initiative designed to bring attention to areas such as Blaenau Gwent, where little or no tourism existed.
Filled with fairground attractions, plant exhibitions and the famous mechanical clock, it brought more than two million tourists to the area of the former Ebbw Vale steelworks, surrounded by stunning Welsh hills.
Across Wales there was anticipation as the site was first opened in May 1992, with the likes of Prince Charles, Danni Minogue and Catherine Zeta Jones all in attendance.
It was later turned into a modern shopping facility that featured more than 30 shops and restaurants, with a children’s play park and its own owl sanctuary.
Fast forward to 2020, however, and the scene couldn’t be more different. The only sounds are from workers removing remaining stock from failed businesses. Solutions have been offered, including a proposed splash park and rumoured hotel.
But for now it seems as though the future of the area could be very much in doubt.
Kelvin Morgan works on the fresh fruit and veg store at the centre of the complex, and says while they are still doing good business on their stall it doesn’t look promising for the other businesses that remain on the site.
He said: “We’ve been here for four or five years now and it’s very sad to see Festival Park the way it is. It was always such a busy place, but at the moment almost everything is closed or boarded up.
“The footfall had been dwindling for a while, but it seems this virus could have really killed it off for good, which is a very sad thing for locals.
“There’s been no official announcement about the closing of the site so no-one really knows what happening