Improving Bridgend Town Centre

The Streets Ahead logo.

The pedestrianisation of Bridgend town centre has been a great success with local businesses and shoppers alike, but it doesn't stop there. More regeneration projects are in the pipeline as part of the council's Streets Ahead campaign that aims to make Bridgend town centre 'streets ahead' when it comes to working, shopping and socialising.

The historic old bridge in Bridgend.

The historic Old Bridge from which Bridgend takes its name.

Enhancing the town environment

Dunraven Place has provided the town centre with a new focal point following its recent refurbishment.

Dunraven Place has become a new focal point for the town following the completion of the enhancement scheme in 2004.

Dunraven Place in Bridgend town Centre

Within the context of the Town Centre Conservation Area, a programme of streetscene enhancements and traffic management measures to pedestrianise the primary shopping streets has been successfully implemented. The most recently completed scheme is at Dunraven Place (pictured) which included new paving surfaces, lighting, street furniture and tree planting together with a restoration of the War Memorial monument in conjunction with Bridgend Town Council. Further improvements are underway at Queen Street following a successful award to the Council of £800,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government Physical Regeneration Fund. These works are scheduled for completion in July 2006. A further £1 million has been secured from this source to undertake an enhancement scheme at Market Street during 2006 and 2007.

Brigend main street concept drawing

Brigend main street concept drawing

To complement these substantial public realm improvements, a successful building improvement programme has been developed in Bridgend Town Centre with over £700,000 investment since 1999. The Council and the Welsh Assembly Government administer a Town Improvement Grant scheme which enables building owners to undertake renovation of the external fabric of their premises. Details can be obtained from the Grants Officer, Gareth Morgan (Tel: 01656 679942). In May 2005, the Authority designated a Townscape Heritage Initiative in the historic core of the Town Centre around Dunraven Place and Elder Street with funding of £910,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Grants will be available to fund conservation-led restoration of buildings with further details available from THI Officer, Sue Tomlinson (Tel: 01656 643175).

Dunraven Place concept drawing

Elder street concept Drawing

Finally, the Council received funding of £100,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government to progress the design of a riverside walkway along the Town Centre stretch of the River Ogwr. This project will seek to re-integrate the river into the life of Bridgend Town Centre and it will complement the restoration works undertaken at Old Stone Bridge. European funding of £2.5 million has been confirmed to implement the scheme with a programme of works completion scheduled for June 2008.

River ogwr concept drawing

River Ogwr walkway concept drawing

Improving accessibility to the town

The new Bridgend Bus Station was opened in November 2004. This major development and investment project was supported by Transport Grant from the Welsh assembly Government and it includes an interchange link from the Bus Station along Market Street and Station Hill to Bridgend Railway Station. In addition, cycle routes and safe routes to schools to encourage healthier, more environmentally friendly ways of travelling into the Town Centre are being implemented by the Council.

The new Bridgend bus station

inside the new Bridgend bus station

Attracting a diverse range of quality development

A new office development at Brewery Lane

Raven's Court Office Development

at Brewery Lane

A series of new independent and national retailers have opened outlets within Bridgend Town Centre including Monsoon and Accessorize at Adare Street in March 2005. Other retailers and developers are progressing proposals including a new ASDA store within the Town Centre which is scheduled to open in 2007. Together these offer Bridgend Town Centre a welcome retail boost and demonstrate the confidence investors and retailers are showing in the Town Centre. Other commercial projects completed recently include a WDA office development at Brewery Lane (pictured) and private sector development of the former chest clinic on Court Road and Nos. 5-7 Court Road which together have added 40,000 sq ft of office space to the Town Centre.

The new Monsoon shop

Support the development of a balanced evening economy

Opportunities to convert vacant space above retail premises into living spaces are being pursued as part of the plan to develop a 24-hour town centre. The expansion of the range of town centre leisure facilities such as cafes and restaurants that people both young and old can enjoy is also important.

Continental-style cafes and restaurants in Bridgend town centre.

Continental-style cafes and restaurants in Bridgend town centre.

Encourage street entertainment and town centre activity

A shopper checks out some of the goods on offer at the special French Market.

The first Winterland festival attracted more than 70,000 visitors into the town centre.

Street in bridgend when there is a festival

The council works in partnership with the Bridgend Festivals Committee to organise events in the town centre throughout the year. These include the Classic and Vintage Vehicle Show, Midsummer Madness festival, Classic Motor Cycle Show, Autumn Craft and Folk Spectacular, Continental Market, August Bloom and the series of Christmas festivals and events featuring a French Market and a host of other events during December. More information on the events can be obtained by contacting the Bridgend Festivals Office (Tel: 01656 661338) or following the link to the Bridgend Festivals Committee web-site www.bridgend-events.co.uk

Supporting customer friendly services and initiatives

Due to the outstanding success of the Shopmobility scheme since its launch two years ago, the service - which seeks to make the town centre more accessible to older residents and people with disabilities - has expanded. It is now available between 9am - 5pm six days a week and is closed only on Sundays. Pay-on-foot carparking is also planned for the Rhiw car park and an ongoing refurbishment initiative has led to improvements in nearby public conveniences.

Other initiatives include comprehensive CCTV coverage of the Town Centre; installation of Wi-Fi facilities and a dedicated street cleansing reaction force which is funded in partnership with Bridgend Town Council. Hanging basket floral displays add colour to the Town Centre with the baskets being planted and maintained in association with a variety of local community organisations. Each of the initiatives ensures that Bridgend Town Centre is a safe, clean, accessible and pleasant environment to visit, shop or invest.

Other initiatives include comprehensive CCTV coverage of the Town Centre and a dedicated street cleansing reaction force which is funded in partnership with Bridgend Town Council. Hanging basket floral displays add colour to the Town Centre with the baskets being planted and maintained in association with a variety of local community organisations. Each of the initiatives ensures that Bridgend Town Centre is a safe, clean, accessible and pleasant environment to visit, shop or invest.

A Shopmobility scooter in action.

The Shopmobility service currently has more than 1000 members.

Street cleaner in action

Caffe in bridgend