Pontypridd has been named among the top eight towns in the UK after being awarded the Wales Champion Town title at the Let’s Celebrate Towns Awards. The town has been awarded £20,000 to invest in the local community following the award ceremony which was held in London earlier this month.
A panel of independent judges from business, industry and regional bodies selected the eight overall winners based on individual case studies for each town, showcasing what makes the towns unique and how they have adapted to new challenges and opportunities in changing environments.
Pontypridd won the award due to its investment and redevelopment of the area, including the delivery of the three Llys Cadwyn buildings, the recent Cwrt yr Orsaf Extra Care facility, the progression of the modernised Pontypridd YMCA, Muni Theatre project, and investment at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.
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The redevelopment of areas included the demolition of the former Bingo Hall, and plans for the former M&S and Dorothy Perkins stores, improving connectivity between the railway station and the high street, opening up the public realm, refurbished properties in the town centre which provide workspaces, homes, retail and leisure uses.
A new riverside walkway is also planned, with better pedestrian connections and spaces throughout the town. Pontypridd now has £20,000 prize money to invest into a local community initiative and a programme of support for local businesses. You can get news about Pontypridd sent directly to your inbox, by signing up to our newsletter here.
The ‘Let’s Celebrate Towns’ Awards celebrate hundreds of towns across the country which help local businesses and communities to thrive. The awards, sponsored by Visa, in partnership with the British Retail Consortium, saw two Rhondda Cynon Taf towns achieving nationwide credit and recognition.
Mountain Ash also received the 'Rising Star Wales Award' for its regeneration and investment in recent years, such as the opening of the Cross Valley Link, town centre car park improvements, increased parking capacity within and the redevelopment of ‘Guto’ square.
The town also introduced electric vehicle charging points, landscaping and retaining wall works and a newly paved entranceway to the town’s Workingmen’s Club and canopy area. Mountain Ash will receive £10,000 to invest in a local community initiative and a programme of support for local businesses.
Councillor Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Member for Prosperity and Development, said: “I am delighted that two of our local towns have been announced as among the best in Britain at the UK-wide Let’s Celebrate Towns Awards, allowing us to showcase the region to the wider community on a nationwide platform.
“Both town centres have been the focal point of their communities for centuries, Pontypridd being a historic town, home of both our National Anthem and National Lido in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park and Mountain Ash, host of the National Eisteddfod in 1905 and 1946 and home to the world-famous Nos Galan Road Races.”
The eight winners included Pontypridd and Mountain Ash in Wales, Kilmarnock and Annan in Scotland, Banbridge and Lurgan in Northern Ireland and Bromsgrove and Wythenshawe in England.
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