Town centres play a vital role social and economic life, the chair of the Valleys Taskforce has said.
The Ministerial Taskforce for the South Wales Valleys was established two years ago to deliver lasting change for people living and working in the Valleys. Last year it stated one of its top aims was to create 7,000 jobs by 2021.
Its chair, Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services Alun Davies AM, visited Rhymney High Street on Monday, September 17, to explain how town centres can play a role in its vision.
He said: “Town centres and high streets play a central role in creating a sense of community and providing us with a place to shop, do business, socialise and live. Our high streets should be the heart of our towns, offering a vibrant local economy and bustling community and we all have a role to play in ensuring they remain sustainable.
“Since I set up the Taskforce, many people have pointed out one of the main challenges facing Valleys communities is the decline of the traditional high street. This is not just as a threat to independent retailers, but changing shopping habits, in particular increasing online and out-of-town purchases, combined with falling disposable incomes, can cause difficulties too.
“People tell me they want to shop on their high street, and support local business, but when it’s cheaper, and more convenient to do so online, or even out-of-town, it’s a difficult choice to make.
“While we know that our town centres are resilient and are used to adapting to market forces, the Valleys Taskforce has been working with our community partners to find solutions to some of these issues so that our high streets are not only able to survive, but to thrive.
“Recently, the Welsh Government announced an extra £5 million to extend our High Street Rates Relief scheme for one further year into 2018/19. The scheme is unique to Wales and will support around 13,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the country this year.
“We’ve also been looking at more innovative public transport solutions and have worked with local authorities to explore the impact of piloting more free town centre parking initiatives.”
Merthy Tydfil and Rhymney Assembly Member Dawn Bowden said: “I was delighted that Cabinet Secretary Alun Davies took up my invitation to visit Rhymney High Street on Monday.
“It provided our local councillors with the opportunity to talk directly with him about local problems like the proposed closure of the Lloyd’s Bank and our conversation focused on the need to develop an economic plan for communities along communities on the Heads of the Valleys road.
“Large amounts of money have, and are, being spent on building the new road but we must now take the extra step to ensure it brings economic benefits to our communities. There has been some success and in Rhymney we know the new Sharp factory will soon be opening.”