“No quick fix” for Welshpool Town Centre
A four-week engagement exercise was launched this week to seek the views of businesses, residents and visitors on the future of Powys town centres, with the council keen to hear whether a ‘cafe culture’ works well to attract the tourists.
With most of the past year spent in lockdown, the regional authority said it is keen for ideas that can help to bring some sparkle back.
“To encourage the public back into our town centres and to help businesses open safely and in compliance with ongoing restrictions and regulations, it was important to make some temporary changes to how some of our town centres had traditionally worked,” explained Cllr Heulwen Hulme, Cabinet Member for Highways.
“There will be no quick fix to recover from the Covid-19 crisis, social distancing and the need for personal protection measures will be with us for some time.”
Several hospitality businesses in the town centre have taken advantage of the council’s willingness to allow outdoor areas to be created in parking space, a ‘cafe culture’ initiative the council says it is happy to continue.
“We are aware that high streets have changed over the recent years and the pandemic has accelerated that change by several years, especially with greater reliance on online shopping,” added Cllr Hulme.
“We must therefore seek to address that change and aid the recovery of our town centres by making them destinations that people want to visit, with resilient and viable businesses and strong communities.
“As we begin to plan for a safe, resilient future, this is the opportunity to look at things differently and rebalance our public spaces. Whilst some businesses may consider it is essential to park within the high streets, this does not always provide the attractive spaces which will draw people to that town.
“We therefore need to consider the balance of the needs of the shops and businesses and the availability of parking and develop proposals that meet the needs of the changing high streets.
“The Welsh Government have made available a special placemaking grant during this current financial year to enable us to explore this in greater detail. Nothing will be put in place without the appropriate levels of consultation with all involved for each town.
To take part in this initial engagement exercise into the future of our town centres, visit www.haveyoursaypowys.wales
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