AFTER years of concerns about the future of the Rhiw Shopping Centre in Bridgend, the complex has changed hands in a £5.37 million deal and is now owned by Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC).
The council has said that it is revisiting its town centre regeneration masterplan as the purchase of the 2.27 acre site from Creative Assets Global Ltd has “unlocked exciting new opportunities that were not previously available”.
The purchase has been funded using £2.45m from Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns fund, £1.8m from the council’s revenue budget, and just over £1m from the council’s capital programme.
About 15 months ago, the Vale council took a similar line when buying the vacant Wilkinson property – a large store in Holton Road, Barry. In that case, the Welsh Government provided a £950,000 loan. The Vale Council is currently consulting on the future of the Barry building.
BCBC believes there is potential for a new market, retail units, community facilities and additional accommodation in the heart of Bridgend town centre, saying: “The huge scope of the project will require the council to work closely alongside public and private sector partners in order to deliver regeneration on a large scale.”
Photo: BCBC.
Council Leader John Spanswick said: “The Rhiw has been an important part of the town centre for more than 50 years, but its future was uncertain after RAAC was detected within the infrastructure of the building – a problem which forced the closure of the indoor market hall for safety reasons in 2023 and left the Rhiw facing the long-term prospect of disruptive, expensive repairs.
“I can reveal that the council has been working behind the scenes to negotiate a way forward, and these efforts have resulted in the purchase of the entire site. As a result, the council can now safeguard against the Rhiw Shopping Centre being sold off piecemeal to developers, manage any further instances where RAAC may have an impact, and control how the site will be used for the overall benefit of traders and residents.”
Photo: BCBC.
Cllr Neelo Farr, BCBC cabinet member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Housing, said: “As an important ‘invest to save’ opportunity, the council’s plans for purchasing the Rhiw Shopping Centre have drawn cross-party support from members.
“Bridgend town centre is currently benefitting from a number of high-profile developments that range from an all-new campus for Bridgend College at Cheapside, new housing and headquarters for Valleys to Coast in Dunraven Place, and the new Health and Wellbeing Centre which is preparing to open at Sunnyside. As the Rhiw Shopping Centre occupies such a large footprint, it has opened up a huge number of additional opportunities.”
Chris Elmore MP for Bridgend & Porthcawl has warmly welcomed the announcement that Bridgend County Borough Council has purchased the Rhiw Shopping Centre in Bridgend, describing it as a ‘transformational moment for Bridgend town centre and its future’.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to see that this investment has been secured. It is a hugely positive step forward and a real vote of confidence in the future of Bridgend town centre.
“With the new Bridgend College campus set to open later this year, Valleys to Coast relocating its operations to Wyndham House and with the significant investment going into the Rhiw, we are seeing real momentum build in our town centre. Bridgend is moving in the right direction, and this is a key part of that journey.”
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