Cllr Cannon with Katrina Clarke and Shilpa Chaudhry at Maendy Surgery

An Aberdare dental surgery will expand its business and create new jobs thanks to more than £46,000 funding from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Townscape Enhancement Programme.

Business partners Katrina Clarke and Shilpa Chaudhry successfully applied to the Council’s scheme which allows commercial property owners to receive 70% financial assistance for building improvements which are seen as an integral element of the physical regeneration of Aberdare town centre.

Thanks to the programme, which is part of the wider town centre regeneration scheme, the popular surgery on Weatherall Street will expand into a second adjoining property, resulting in new jobs being created locally.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Safer Communities Cllr Paul Cannon said: “The refurbishment and expansion of the Maendy Surgery is another excellent example of how our widespread regeneration project is having a direct, positive impact on local businesses by improving the area and boosting job opportunities.

“Over the past year the introduction of quality stone paving, carriageways, key public spaces and new features including walls, benches, quality street furniture and lighting has been welcomed by visitors, shoppers and residents alike.

“Our investment in Aberdare town centre – the largest it has ever received – is further evidence of Council’s commitment in supporting businesses to thrive, boost the local economy and assist in further job creations throughout all of our town centres.

“Our work to attract the maximum amount of external funding into the county borough through projects such as the regeneration of Aberdare becomes particularly important in the coming years, as the impact of the UK Government’s spending cuts on our own budget continues to hit.”

The extensive plans for the popular surgery on Weatherall Street will see the expansion into the adjoining vacant property along with widescale external repairs, internal alterations and modifications to provide disabled toilets and the opening of a new ground-floor surgery.

The scheme will enable a vacant property to be brought back into use and will result in further job creation for a dentist and dental nurse along with administrative staff. There will also be a new, modern decontamination room and office space provided.

The facades of the properties will benefit with numerous improvements including the replacement of upvc windows with timber sash windows which will enhance the local streetscape.

Property owner Katrina Clarke said: “Maendy Dental Practice is very grateful to the Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Townscape Enhancement Programme for this opportunity to enhance the facilities it can offer to its patients and to create job opportunities.

“The provision of an extra downstairs surgery and improved toilet facilities will greatly improve the patient experience.

“The Practice is one of six pilot sites in Wales, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and our own Cwm Taf Local Health Board, looking at a more preventative approach to patient care. These extra facilities will enable us to achieve this goal."

The £7.7m Aberdare Town Centre Regeneration project is being delivered by the Welsh Government through the European Regional Development Fund, Heads of the Valleys Programme and the Targeted Match Fund. The remainder of the funding package is provided by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cadw and the private sector.

For further details visit www.myaberdare.com