David Edwards with Cllr Cannon

Pontypridd’s widespread regeneration project has strengthened the economy of the whole town, according to one of its property owners.

David Edwards is the latest commercial property owner to benefit from Pontypridd’s Townscape Enhancement Programme which funds up to 70% of improvements to buildings throughout the town centre.

Thanks to more than £110,000 of funding from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s regeneration project the local property owner will be able to radically upgrade the exterior of three neighbouring properties along High Street, which will help support the tenants, as well as benefitting the entire area through the visual enhancements.

Mr Edwards is keen to praise the impact the programme of improvements is having on the town centre as the final phase of regeneration works take place on the main shopping thoroughfare.

“The town desperately needed this injection of funding because Pontypridd was not a nice place to visit,” he explained. “But now with the widespread regeneration of the roads, pavements and buildings, the improvements have strengthened the economy of the whole area. This is a new beginning for Pontypridd.”

Mr Edwards will be using the funding to upgrade shop fronts and windows to a high quality, to enhance slate roofs, and install well designed signage on the Money Shop, Bamboo Grill and Trattoria, all located on High Street.

“I always wanted to enhance that part of the town and bring those properties back to a high standard because they desperately needed full-scale improvement works and upgrading. The Townscape Enhancement Programme has allowed me to do just that,” he said.

”The whole process was easy thanks to the support of Council staff and the outcome is a massive improvement to those key buildings which I’m sure visitors will quickly recognise.”

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Community Safety Cllr Paul Cannon explained: “Since the project began we have invested in a significant number of properties throughout Pontypridd as part of the wider regeneration work in the town centre. Without doubt Mr Edwards, and other commercial property owners, have seen the benefits to the local business network for themselves.

“This helps to boost confidence in the town, encouraging more shoppers, visitors and of course private sector investment. Together we want to create a vibrant and sustainable economic hub in Pontypridd which will attract further businesses to invest in the town centre.

“Together with our widespread transformation of the street-scene, the enhancement of individual properties is key to our aim of creating a new Pontypridd for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.”

Pontypridd’s shopping streetscape is undergoing a total overhaul following Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s securing of a £10.5 million funding package from the Welsh Government through the European Regional Development Fund and Targeted Match Funding, plus private sector contributions and the Council’s own financial resources.