#cllrcenphillips — Public Fediverse posts
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PORT TALBOT: Princess Royal Theatre’s new name revealed by Twin Town star Di Botcher
The Princess Royal name is being retired — Port Talbot’s revamped theatre will reopen this autumn under a brand new name, revealed in a video fronted by Twin Town actor Di Botcher.
Botcher is joined by familiar faces from the town’s arts and culture scene, in a film the council says was a genuine community effort.
Among them is Wales international rugby player and local business owner Richard Hibbard, who has voiced the Giant in pantomimes at the venue, and local influencer Joel Oates.
Also featuring are Stuart Broad of Calon Films, which staged the world premiere of Iniquity Camwedd at the theatre, business owners Nigel Hunt of San Portablo and Cassius Walker Hunt of Portablo Coffi, Welsh language community figure Margaret Buckingham Jones, former drama teacher Helen John of Portablo Arts, Afan Dance and graffiti artist Jenks.
The auditorium’s new timber ceiling sweeps over the balcony level (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)The venue is under construction on the site of the Princess Royal Theatre, which closed for a major transformation in August 2025.
Neath Port Talbot Council says the investment now stands at £18m, creating an improved venue for performances and community use along with new meeting and conference facilities.
So what will Port Talbot’s theatre be called? Yr Aelwyd — the Welsh for The Hearth, pronounced “ur eye-loyd”.
Traditionally, yr aelwyd is the heart of the Welsh home — the place to gather, share stories and make lasting memories.
As part of the same investment, Port Talbot’s Civic Square is being fully re-landscaped, transforming the approach to the theatre.
The project is funded by the UK Government alongside the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme.
New photos published last week showed the auditorium’s sweeping timber ceiling in place and the glass frontage glazed, with completion due this autumn.
The council says Yr Aelwyd will be a showcase for local talent and stories, reflecting the town’s industrial past and its creative future.
The council’s cabinet member for nature, tourism and wellbeing, Cllr Cen Phillips, said the name captured what the venue would represent. “The name Yr Aelwyd beautifully captures what this new venue will represent for Port Talbot – a welcoming place where people can come together to share experiences, enjoy creativity and make lasting memories,” he said.
He said the building would be more than a theatre: “It will be a focal point for our community and visitors, bringing people into the heart of the town and supporting Port Talbot’s continued regeneration.”
On the wider works, he added: “We are creating a vibrant cultural space and an improved Civic Square, with more green spaces, increased planting and a more attractive environment for everyone to enjoy.”
“This is an exciting milestone for Port Talbot, and I look forward to seeing Yr Aelwyd become a place where stories are shared, local talent is showcased and our community is brought together for generations to come,” he said.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
PORT TALBOT: First look inside the Princess Royal Theatre revamp
New photos show the auditorium’s timber ceiling in place ahead of the autumn opening.£16.9m restoration begins at Port Talbot’s Princess Royal Theatre
Major refurbishment works began on the landmark venue in August 2025.THEATRE INTERVIEW: Gorseinon writer Jonathan Houlston on Physical Education
#CllrCenPhillips #construction #DiBotcher #featured #LevellingUpFund #MorganSindallConstruction #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #PortTalbot #PrincessRoyalTheatre #theatre #YrAelwyd
The writer behind one of the year’s most acclaimed Swansea productions on finding his voice. -
PORT TALBOT: First look inside the £16.9m Princess Royal Theatre revamp — as the auditorium’s timber ceiling goes in ahead of autumn opening
New photos have given a first look inside the £16.9m transformation of Port Talbot’s Princess Royal Theatre — with the auditorium’s angled timber ceiling now in place and the building’s new glass frontage glazed.
Neath Port Talbot Council released the images as a progress update on the project, which is due for completion in the autumn.
They show the oak-panelled ceiling sweeping over the auditorium’s balcony level, with lighting, ventilation and smoke detection being fitted into the new woodwork.
Below, the auditorium floor remains a working construction site — scaffolding towers, pallets of materials and protective boarding covering the space where the seats will return.
Another image shows the full-height glazed frontage in place, looking out over the Civic Square works — where a small amphitheatre inspired by ancient Greek venues is replacing the old fountain.
The new glass frontage looks out over the Civic Square works (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)Inside, first-floor rooms have been plastered, with cabling and copper pipework being installed.
First-floor rooms have been plastered, with services now being installed (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)The council said the building and public square were now clearly taking shape, describing the glass frontage as “a defining feature of the development”.
Work began on the 41-year-old theatre last summer, with Morgan Sindall Construction delivering the scheme on behalf of the council, funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The building is being stripped back to bare brick and remodelled for accessibility — with accessible seating on the top tier and front rows, an extended atrium foyer, expanded toilets and a new lift for wheelchair users.
The bar is being relocated to face the atrium rather than the auditorium.
Backstage, the theatre is being extended by up to three metres so performers can move between the wings without using stairs — and a lift will carry scenery directly from the car park to the stage.
The refurbishment is designed to keep the theatre’s character: timber on the balcony and main walls is being retained, sections of the original white oak stage will be reused as an internal feature, and green roofs are going on each side of the new extension.
Outside, rain gardens and new greenery will manage stormwater across the remodelled square.
Morgan Sindall has committed to a local supply chain within 40 miles of the site, with apprenticeships and student placements during the build.
The scheme — first approved by planners in December 2024 — is part of the wider regeneration of Port Talbot town centre, with the council promising further updates as the theatre “continues to evolve”.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
£16.9m restoration begins at Port Talbot’s Princess Royal Theatre
The full plans for the theatre — from the backstage extension to the scenery lift.Work to begin on Port Talbot’s Civic Square and Princess Royal Theatre
How the project got under way in May last year.Green light for major upgrades to Port Talbot’s Princess Royal Theatre and Civic Square
#CllrCenPhillips #construction #LevellingUpFund #MorganSindallConstruction #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #PortTalbot #PrincessRoyalTheatre #theatre
The planning decision that set the transformation in motion. -
ABERAVON: Dogs could be banned from running off-lead on prom all year under council plan
Dog owners in Aberavon could be required to keep their pets on leads along the promenade all year round under proposals from the council.
Neath Port Talbot Council wants to extend the existing “dogs on leads” rule on the seafront so that it applies throughout the year, rather than only in summer.
At present, the requirement only applies during the busier season, between 1 May and 30 September.
The proposed change forms part of a wider review of the Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) covering the seafront, which are due to expire and need renewing.
The council has opened a consultation on the plans, and is asking residents and visitors for their views before any decision is made.
The existing seasonal ban on dogs from the main section of the beach between May and September would stay the same.
So too would the summer lead requirement on the promenade — the only change being consulted on is whether to extend it across the whole year.
The council said roughly half the beach currently faces restrictions, with the other half remaining dog-friendly.
It said it wanted to strike a balance between dog owners and other people who use the seafront, and was keen to hear “balanced views” from all sides.
The consultation also touches on the beach’s environmental ambitions.
Aberavon currently holds a Seaside Award — the only beach in Neath Port Talbot to do so — and the council has set its sights on the more prestigious Blue Flag status.
The council said Keep Wales Tidy had confirmed that a full dog restriction is required to meet Blue Flag standards, meaning a timed restriction — such as 9am to 6pm, as some people have requested — would not be possible.
The consultation gives people the chance to suggest alternative approaches.
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism and Wellbeing, Cllr Cen Phillips, said the seafront was “one of our most valued and well-used spaces”.
“It’s important we strike the right balance between maintaining a safe, clean and welcoming environment for everyone, while also recognising and balancing the needs of responsible dog owners,” he said.
“This consultation is an opportunity for people to have their say and help shape how these measures are applied in the future. I would encourage anyone who uses the seafront to take part and share their views before any final decisions are made.”
PSPOs are used by councils to manage behaviour in public spaces. The orders at Aberavon have been in place since 2017 and must be reviewed every three years.
The consultation is open now, and people can have their say on the council’s website.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Aberavon beach wins prestigious Seaside Award
The only beach in Neath Port Talbot to make the 2026 cut.Council celebrates Aberavon Seaside Award
A message to visitors to enjoy the seafront responsibly.Annual Aberavon Beach dog ban explained
#Aberavon #AberavonBeach #AberavonSeafront #BlueFlag #CllrCenPhillips #KeepWalesTidy #NeathPortTalbotCouncil
How the existing seasonal PSPO rules work on the seafront. -
PORT TALBOT: Council celebrates as Aberavon Beach Seaside Award confirmed — with a message to visitors to enjoy it responsibly
Neath Port Talbot Council has formally welcomed the confirmation that Aberavon Beach has retained its Seaside Award from Keep Wales Tidy — the blue and yellow flag that signifies a clean, attractive and well-managed coastal stretch.
Aberavon is the only beach in Neath Port Talbot to receive a Wales Coast Award this year, and one of just 15 beaches across the whole of Wales to achieve the Seaside Award specifically.
Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Tourism, Councillor Cen Phillips, said the award was fantastic news for residents and visitors alike.
“This is fantastic news for anyone who lives near, or visits, Aberavon Beach,” he said. “The three-mile stretch has lots on offer, whether you’re a water-sports fanatic, a keen swimmer or just enjoy a relaxing stroll along the sand.”
He said the quality of the seafront continued to draw visitors and businesses to the area, and issued a direct message about responsible use.
“It’s no surprise that Aberavon seafront attracts so many visitors and businesses, who can now continue to be reassured by the quality of their surroundings,” Councillor Phillips said. “A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to achieve this award, including by Neath Port Talbot Council beach cleaners. I hope people enjoy the area responsibly so that it remains safe and fun for all.”
The message carries particular resonance following incidents during the Easter holidays. A lifebuoy on Aberavon Beach was deliberately set on fire during a period of disorder over the bank holiday weekend — prompting a warning from South Wales Police and Port Talbot Coastguard that the vandalism “could have had dire consequences” had anyone needed rescuing from the water at the time.
Owen Derbyshire, chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said the awards recognised beaches meeting the highest and most consistent standards.
“Wales has some of the best beaches and marinas in the world and one of the most varied coastlines, and we are delighted to see this recognised with another successful year of Wales Coast Awards,” he said. “We would like to thank staff, volunteers and everyone else at sites across Wales who work so hard to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances.”
The Seaside Award sits within a period of significant wider investment in the Aberavon seafront. In recent years the area has seen updated public toilets, two new children’s play areas, a skateboard park, a new splash pad attraction and a multi-million pound sea defence project designed to protect the promenade for future generations.
Further improvements are in the pipeline through a major active travel scheme covering a 4.7km stretch linking the seafront with Afan Way. The multi-million pound project would deliver new and widened footways, dedicated cycle lanes on Princess Margaret Way, new Toucan and Parallel crossings, and public realm improvements around Memo Beach Café, the skate park and Tywyn Primary School.
The council said the active travel scheme is particularly important in Sandfields, where data shows fewer than half of households own a car — making safe walking and cycling routes essential for everyday journeys including school runs and trips to the beach.
Construction of the active travel scheme is targeted for 2026–27, subject to funding approval through the Regional Transport Fund. Taken together with the Seaside Award recognition, the investment signals continued ambition for Aberavon as one of south Wales’s premier coastal destinations.
The Seaside Award’s blue and yellow flag will fly above Aberavon’s three-mile stretch for another season, giving visitors and businesses confidence in the quality and management of one of Port Talbot’s most popular destinations.
The 2026 Wales Coast Awards also saw 20 Welsh beaches achieve Blue Flag status — the world’s most recognised beach award — including Caswell Bay, Langland Bay and Port Eynon in Gower, and Saundersfoot and Tenby Castle in Pembrokeshire.
However, the day also brought difficult news for Tenby, where North Beach lost its Blue Flag for the third time after water quality dropped from “excellent” to “good” — prompting a formal letter of complaint to Welsh Water from the area’s MP.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
PORT TALBOT: Aberavon beach wins prestigious Seaside Award
The only beach in Neath Port Talbot to be recognised in the 2026 Wales Coast Awards.Major revamp planned for Sandfields and Aberavon as council unveils huge active travel upgrade
New cycle lanes, crossings and public realm improvements planned for the seafront area.SWANSEA: Four of Swansea’s beaches once again fly the Blue Flag
Caswell, Langland, Port Eynon and Swansea Marina all retain their Blue Flag status in 2026.TENBY: MP demands Welsh Water answers as North Beach loses Blue Flag for third time
Tenby North slips below Blue Flag standard for the third time — prompting MP to write to Welsh Water.ABERAVON: Lifebuoy set on fire during Easter holiday disorder
#AberavonBeach #BlueFlag #CllrCenPhillips #KeepWalesTidy #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #WalesCoastAward
Police and coastguard warn the vandalism could have had dire consequences. -
Vape shop shut down after illegal stock and cannabis seized in Port Talbot
Mr. Vape, on Station Road, was hit with a closure order at Swansea Magistrates Court after repeated reports of suspicious and illegal activity — including claims the shop was selling illicit products to children.
Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards Team said the business had been linked to counterfeit and non‑tax‑paid tobacco, illegal cigarettes and oversized vapes. During a search in late 2025, officers seized illegal cigarettes, tobacco and a quantity of cannabis.
A District Judge approved the closure under Section 80 of the Anti‑Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The shop’s owner did not attend the hearing.
The crackdown follows the UK‑wide ban on single‑use disposable vapes, which became illegal to sell on 1 June 2025.
Cllr Cen Phillips, Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said:
“Trading Standards work hard at protecting the public and the vulnerable from illegal tobacco and vape sales. Considerable work has gone into obtaining these closure orders, and the team will continue to use the resources at their disposal to combat this illegal trade.
I would urge anyone who cares about their community and their children’s health to report any information they have relating to illegal tobacco or vape sales.”
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Taibach vape shop shut down after selling illegal cigarettes and vapes
Trading Standards close another premises after uncovering illicit tobacco and oversized vapes.Council wins vape shop closure order
A court grants a closure order following reports of illegal vape sales to young people.Illegal disposable vapes seized from Neath Port Talbot shops
Hundreds of banned single‑use vapes removed from local stores in a joint operation.Nine Swansea vape shops shut down in major crackdown on illegal sales
#CllrCenPhillips #counterfeitCigarettes #illegalCigarettes #illegalTobacco #illegalVapes #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #PortTalbot #TradingStandards #vapes
A city‑wide enforcement sweep sees multiple shops closed over illicit products. -
First look inside Neath’s transformed Gnoll Country Park
Major changes unveiled
The transformation of Gnoll Country Park has touched almost every corner of the 240‑acre site. At its heart is a new two‑storey visitor centre, replacing the ageing building with a café, flexible event spaces and a balcony that looks out across the lake.
Families will find a dedicated soft play area inside, while outside children can explore Gnoll Towers — a woodland adventure playground of three climbing towers, the tallest rising nearly 30 feet.
Visitors looking to stay longer can now book Pond Cottage, a restored Victorian groundkeeper’s home turned dog‑friendly holiday accommodation. The cottage sleeps up to six and comes with its own gardens, a log burner fuelled by wood from the park, and views across the pond and surrounding wildlife.
Neath Port Talbot Council Leader Cllr Steve Hunt and Cabinet Member Cllr Cen Phillips outside the newly refurbished Pond Cottage at Gnoll Country Park.(Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)Elsewhere, the ruins of Gnoll House have been consolidated, the park’s historic cascades restored to their former spectacle, and new walking routes opened up.
A bridge now links the grounds to Brynau Farm, a 57‑hectare Woodland Trust haven, extending the reach of the park into the wider Vale of Neath landscape.
Alongside the physical changes, the site has been given refreshed branding, a new website and updated interpretation materials to guide visitors through its history.
Close-up of the Visitor Centre entrance at Gnoll Country Park, featuring new branding and signage.(Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)Council’s perspective
Neath Port Talbot Council says the new facilities are intended to enhance the visitor experience and increase footfall. Council leader Steve Hunt described the visitor centre as “stylish” and said Pond Cottage would provide “a unique and authentic base” for exploring the wider Vale of Neath Heritage Corridor.
Cabinet member Cen Phillips added that the project would ensure the park “continues to play a big part in Neath Port Talbot’s future.”
Historic backdrop
Gnoll Country Park has a long history dating back to Elizabethan times, when the estate was granted to the Earls of Pembroke. It later passed to the Evans family and, through marriage in 1686, to Sir Humphrey Mackworth.
Mackworth developed the estate into an industrial hub and expanded the house and gardens. His son, Herbert, continued the work, laying out the grounds as a landscaped garden and adding features such as cascades and a grotto — elements that have now been restored as part of the latest project.
Opening soon
The park is due to officially reopen next month, with the council hoping the investment will secure its place as one of Neath Port Talbot’s most popular attractions for both residents and visitors.
#brynauFarm #cllrCenPhillips #cllrSteveHunt #gnollCountryPark #gnollEstateCountryPark #gnollTowers #holidayAccommodation #neath #neathPortTalbotCouncil #pondCottage #sirHumphreyMackworth #valeOfNeath #woodlandTrust
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Blue Plaques unveiled for Richard and Philip Burton in Neath Port Talbot
The unveiling ceremonies took place on 10 November, with Richard Burton’s plaque revealed by his daughter Kate and granddaughter Charlotte. Family members, admirers and the local community gathered to mark the centenary of one of Wales’s most celebrated performers.
Richard Burton, born in Pontrhydyfen, rose from humble beginnings to international stardom. Discovered by his teacher Philip Burton — who adopted him to improve his chances of studying at Oxford — Richard went on to become a Shakespearean leading man, a Hollywood star in films such as Cleopatra and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and the voice behind recordings including Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood and Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds.
Philip Burton, also recognised with a Blue Plaque, played a pivotal role in nurturing Richard’s talent. He later became a radio producer and theatre director, working across the UK and USA, and co‑founded the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.
Blue Plaque unveiled for Philip Burton, mentor and adoptive father of Richard Burton, at his former home in Neath Port Talbot.Councillor Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said:
“The Blue Plaques recognise and celebrate two men who are integral to our history in Neath Port Talbot. Both went on to achieve international acclaim, yet stayed true to their Welsh roots and represent the kind of grit, passion and community spirit we are immensely proud of here in the region.”
Charlotte Burton added:
Blue Plaque unveiled at the former home of Philip Burton, mentor and adoptive father of Richard Burton.Blue Plaque unveiled at Richard Burton’s birthplace in Pontrhydyfen, marking his centenary.“The Blue Plaques are an honour for my grandfather’s legacy. As a family, it is truly heartwarming to see how precious he continues to be to the local community who raised him.”
Centenary celebrations continue
The unveiling is part of a wider programme marking Richard Burton’s centenary year. Events include poetry and play readings in Port Talbot and London, a lecture at the Richard Burton Archives, and a guided walking tour of the Richard Burton Trails.
Highlights also include the sold‑out Richard Burton Centenary Gala at Margam Country Park on 14 November, featuring performances from Michael Sheen, Jeff Wayne, the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre and actor Nansi Adams. In December, the British Film Institute will host a retrospective season Richard Burton: Muse of Fire at BFI Southbank in London.
The celebrations conclude with award‑winning Welsh actor Matthew Rhys performing Playing Burton at Bethel Chapel Café — his first return to the Welsh stage in over 20 years.
For full details, visit richardburton100.org.
#BluePlaque #CllrCenPhillips #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #PhilipBurton #Pontrhydyfen #PortTalbot #RichardBurton #RichardBurtonCentenary
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Four Neath Port Talbot vape shops shut down in crackdown on illegal sales
A District Judge at Swansea Magistrates Court approved three‑month closure orders against:
- Vape Land, Commercial Road, Taibach
- Vape Zone, Queen Street, Neath
- Classic Vape, Station Road, Port Talbot
- Pontardawe Vape, James Street, Pontardawe
It is the second time in six months that Vape Land has been issued with a closure order.
Pattern of illegal sales
The court heard that test purchases and inspections over the past two years had repeatedly found counterfeit cigarettes, non‑tax‑paid tobacco and oversized or non‑compliant vapes on sale.
In September, joint inspections by South Wales Police, Neath Port Talbot Council Trading Standards and Waste Enforcement Officers led to seizures of vapes, leaf tobacco and cigarettes. Further complaints were also received about sales to under‑18s.
Despite being notified of the council’s intention to apply for closure orders, the owners of Vape Land, Vape Zone and Pontardawe Vape did not attend their hearings. Classic Vape’s new owner contested the application, but the judge accepted the council’s evidence that the business had changed hands repeatedly following inspections.
What Trading Standards do
Trading Standards teams work to protect consumers and communities by tackling illegal, unsafe or unfair trading practices. Their work includes:
- Carrying out test purchases to check if shops sell age‑restricted products like tobacco, alcohol or vapes to under‑18s
- Inspecting premises for counterfeit or non‑compliant goods
- Seizing unsafe or illegal products, including oversized or disposable vapes
- Taking enforcement action through the courts, including closure orders
- Advising businesses on compliance with consumer protection laws
Residents can report concerns about illegal sales to their local council’s Trading Standards team.
Wider crackdown
The closures come just days after Swansea Magistrates extended closure orders on vape shops in the city, underlining a wider regional clampdown on illegal sales.
Since June 2025, the sale of disposable single‑use vapes has been banned across the UK. The ban was introduced to tackle environmental concerns and to protect children and young people, with many illicit products found in child‑appealing packaging and flavours.
Council response
Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said:
“Trading Standards work hard at protecting the public and the vulnerable from illegal tobacco and vape sales. Considerable work has gone into obtaining these closure orders, and the team will continue to use the resources at their disposal to combat this illegal trade.”
He urged residents to report any information about illegal tobacco or vape sales to the council.
More on Trading Standards
From vape shop closures to counterfeit goods crackdowns, our Trading Standards coverage follows the teams working to protect communities across South West Wales.
Browse all Trading Standards stories →
#ClassicVape #CllrCenPhillips #counterfeitCigarettes #illegalTobacco #illegalVapes #Neath #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #Pontardawe #PontardaweVape #PortTalbot #QueenStreet #Taibach #TradingStandards #VapeLand