Ex-rugby ace set to restore old building
A FORMER Wales rugby star wants to turn a disused Valleys building into shops, accommodation, and office space.
Ex-Wales rugby player Ian Gough, who owns the former Family Value building in Commercial Street, Maesteg, plans to transform it and restore it to good use in the community.
Mr Gough said 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.”
The building has been vacant for years and most recently housed a Family Value shop.
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 in the 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, who bought the building two and a half years ago.
“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. Ever since we bought it a little fire’s been in us and it’ll be a fantastic project to push through so it’s been worth the wait.”
Mr Gough said there is a “shortage of accommodation” in the area and he aims to restore the retail units in the building to “a very modern, attractive spec”.
“We want to attract more footfall down Commercial Street. We want it to be bustling.”
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 rack and ruin. So this investment is very welcome.”
A spokesman for Bridgend council said: “Planning permission is in place, and it is hoped that contractors can begin work as soon as next month.”