#bridgendcountyboroughcouncil — Public Fediverse posts

‘GAME CHANGER’: Council swoops to buy shopping centre amid fears over collapse risk

In a move being hailed as a potential “game changer”, Bridgend County Borough Council has bought the 2.27-acre site — raising hopes of major regeneration, new facilities and a fresh future for the heart of the town.

But the deal comes after serious concerns about the building’s condition, with dangerous RAAC concrete previously forcing the closure of the indoor market hall in 2023 — as reported in our earlier coverage.

From crisis to comeback?

For years, the future of the Rhiw has been hanging in the balance.

The discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) left parts of the ageing complex facing costly repairs — and sparked fears the entire site could eventually shut or be sold off in pieces.

Now, council bosses say they’ve stepped in just in time.

Leader Cllr John Spanswick revealed the authority had been working “behind the scenes” to secure the deal — preventing the centre from being broken up or falling into further decline.

“This has the potential to be a game changer for the future of Bridgend town centre,” he said.

The entrance to The Rhiw Shopping Centre in Bridgend, which will remain open while regeneration plans are developed.
(Image: Bridgend County Borough Council)

What happens next?

Despite the dramatic takeover, shoppers won’t see immediate changes — with the Rhiw set to stay open while new plans are drawn up.

But behind the scenes, a major rethink is already underway.

The council says the site could eventually be transformed into a much broader destination, with the potential for a new market at its heart, alongside a mix of retail units, community facilities and modern public spaces. There is also the possibility of new accommodation being introduced, signalling a shift towards a more mixed-use town centre.

The scale of the opportunity is huge — and officials say it will require close collaboration with both public and private sector partners to turn those ambitions into reality.

Traders ‘will be supported’

Existing businesses have been told they won’t be left in the dark.

The council has pledged to consult traders on future plans and offer support throughout any redevelopment — a key concern given the uncertainty that has surrounded the site in recent years.

Cllr Neelo Farr said the purchase was an “invest to save” decision — warning the building was already nearing the end of its life.

“None of us are prepared to watch the structure fall into decline,” she said.

Bigger picture for Bridgend

The Rhiw deal is just one piece of a wider transformation taking place across Bridgend.

The town centre is already seeing significant investment, with major developments including a new Bridgend College campus at Cheapside, new housing and headquarters for Valleys to Coast in Dunraven Place, and a health and wellbeing centre preparing to open at Sunnyside.

Council leaders believe that bringing the Rhiw into public ownership — given its size and central location — could unlock even greater opportunities and help tie these projects together into a wider regeneration story.

Funded by public cash

The £5.37m purchase has been funded through a mix of sources, including £2.45 million from Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns fund, £1.8 million from the council’s revenue budget, and just over £1 million from its capital programme.

Welsh Government minister Jayne Bryant welcomed the move, saying it could deliver “long-lasting improvements” and help revitalise the town centre.

A long road ahead

While the headlines promise transformation, the reality is this is just the beginning.

The council now faces the challenge of dealing with structural issues, reshaping the site — and convincing the public that Bridgend town centre can bounce back.

But after years of uncertainty, one thing is clear:

The future of the Rhiw is no longer out of the council’s hands.

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PORTHCAWL: New seafront funfair announced as town prepares for life after Coney Beach

The new funfair, which will feature family rides, a big wheel and food stalls, will be set up in time for Easter and remain in place throughout the summer season, Bridgend County Borough Council have said.

The announcement comes after the town’s historic Coney Beach amusement park closed permanently on 4 October 2025 after 107 years of operation as part of a major seafront regeneration project.

The Welsh Government, which bought the amusement park site in 2023, is working with Bridgend Council on a major redevelopment of the area, which has proved controversial with some residents.

Hundreds of people signed petitions to save the funfair, and the council was forced to scale back its initial regeneration proposals after a public backlash.

The council has also had to warn the public about fake images of the regeneration plans being circulated online.

The new seasonal funfair at Salt Lake will be operated by Studt’s Events, a family-run business with a long history in the events industry.

It will briefly share the site with the NoFit State contemporary circus, which will be present between 11-19 April.

Councillor Neelo Farr, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Housing, said the new funfair reinforced the council’s commitment to delivering high-quality attractions for the town.

“We want to provide family-friendly activities that add to what Porthcawl already offers while also supporting local businesses by bringing more people into the town and county borough,” she said.

“I am pleased that the funfair will be inclusive and accessible for all visitors, and it is great to see how our plans for Porthcawl are starting to come together as part of the wider regeneration programme.”

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, said the waterfront regeneration represented an “exciting opportunity” for the area.

“Through our continued investment in regeneration across Wales, we want to help towns like Porthcawl build on their unique strengths, grow their local economies, deliver new homes, and provide high-quality leisure and cultural experiences for residents and visitors alike,” she said.

Henry Studt of Studt’s Events Ltd added: “We are genuinely delighted to be bringing a family funfair to Porthcawl and are looking forward to playing a positive part in the town’s seasonal offer for residents and visitors.”

More details about the seasonal funfair, including confirmed dates and opening times, will be announced closer to Easter 2026.

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Bridgend kitchen firm expands production after securing council-backed funding

Sigma 3 Kitchens, which has been designing and manufacturing bespoke kitchens for more than 50 years, has invested in new machinery at its Bridgend Industrial Estate site after receiving a Business Development Grant. The funding helped the company purchase a CNC drilling machine, allowing it to bring work previously outsourced to third parties back in‑house.

The firm employs 220 full‑time and eight part‑time staff, and says the new equipment will support a fresh manufacturing line and help safeguard jobs at the site.

Senior councillors, including Mayor Cllr Huw David, council leader Cllr John Spanswick and cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Neelo Farr, visited the factory to see the new investment in action.

Brian Lakin, chairman of Sigma 3 Kitchens, said the support had accelerated plans that would otherwise have been delayed for more than a year. “The funding has been a huge boost to our business and productivity,” he said. “Without the grant, the purchase would have been postponed for at least 12 to 18 months due to financial constraints. The support ensured we could move ahead without compromising growth.

“As a result of the new investment, we’ve been able to create new jobs at our Bridgend facility, making it a more capable and competitive site. Despite the challenging economic climate, we’ve had a strong year and have big plans for the coming years.”

Cllr Farr said the company’s progress was “a massive boost for the local economy”, adding that it was “remarkable to see the new machinery in action”.

Council leader Cllr Spanswick said the visit showed how grant support could help businesses grow. “This machinery is cutting edge, and they are so passionate about the products they deliver,” he said. “I would highly recommend any businesses in the county borough to get in touch about the grants we have to offer.”

The project was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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Bridgend Council plans 4.95% council tax rise and greater use of AI in £550m budget

The authority says it is facing £9.2m in rising costs next year and will still need to make £2.4m in cuts, despite receiving a better‑than‑expected 4.6% funding increase from Welsh Government.

The draft budget goes before Cabinet on 13 January, with a final decision due in February.

Schools protected but other services face pressure

Schools will be shielded from savings targets next year, with extra money also going into children’s services and adult social care. But the rest of the council’s operations will feel the squeeze as inflation, demand and long‑term financial pressures continue to bite.

The council says council tax — which makes up only around 20% of its income — will need to rise by 4.95% to help balance the books.

Council turns to AI to cut costs and modernise services

One of the most striking elements of the draft budget is the council’s plan to expand its use of digital technology and AI to deliver services more cheaply and efficiently.

Bridgend says the shift is essential to keep services sustainable as costs rise faster than funding, and forms part of a wider transformation programme aimed at making the authority “more resilient” in the long term.

Leaders say settlement ‘better than expected’ but challenges remain

Cllr John Spanswick, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, said:

“The funding settlement from Welsh Government for 2026/27 was better than anticipated and this has helped us to ensure that the draft budget proposals clearly align to our corporate plan which focuses on key objectives such as protecting the most vulnerable, helping local people to meet their potential and providing thriving communities for residents and businesses.”

Cllr Hywel Williams, Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, said:

“Like all local authorities across Wales and the United Kingdom, we are still facing many ongoing financial challenges. However, it’s pleasing that we have received an increase in funding of 4.6% from Welsh Government this year and this has helped to reduce our funding gap for the forthcoming financial year.”

The proposals will be examined by councillors over the coming weeks before a final vote next month, with the spotlight firmly on the council’s near‑5% council tax rise and its growing reliance on AI to keep services running.

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Bus service to return through Mawdlam and Kenfig Pool

Hourly service planned

The new Service 63B, operated by First Cymru Buses Ltd, will run as part of the council’s supported bus routes contract. One journey per hour will be diverted through Mawdlam and Kenfig Pool between approximately 9.41am and 3.39pm, Monday to Saturday.

The route was last served by a public bus in August 2019. Funding for the reinstated service has been secured through the Welsh Government’s Bus Network Grant, meaning there will be no additional cost to the council.

Final arrangements underway

Work is now taking place to finalise arrangements with First Cymru, with a start date to be confirmed once the operator has completed the statutory registration process with the Traffic Commissioner.

Cllr Neelo Farr, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Housing, said:

“I’d like to thank everyone who worked together to make this possible, including council staff, residents, ward members, First Cymru and Welsh Government.

Reliable and accessible public transport is vital for connecting local people with jobs, education, healthcare, local shops and other parts of everyday life. We look forward to providing further updates very soon in relation to the start date of this new service.”

What it means for residents

The reinstatement of the service will reconnect Mawdlam and Kenfig Pool with key destinations in Bridgend and Porthcawl, improving access to jobs, education, healthcare and shopping.

The council says the move reflects its commitment to supporting sustainable transport and tackling isolation in rural communities.

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