“There’s a responsibility on Welsh Government to ensure their plans support grassroots activity in places like Neath Market” – Sioned Williams MS
The Cabinet Secretary responsible for Transforming Town Centres has said she’ll “definitely” take up the offer to visit Neath Town Centre from local Member of Senedd Sioned Williams.
Sioned Williams MS, whose office is on Alfred Street in Neath, asked the Cabinet Secretary how Welsh Government’s strategy is supporting grass-roots businesses, and invited her to “see the vast potential and the great icon that is the historic Neath market.”
Ms Williams survey into the Future of Neath Town Centre gained nearly 400 responses, and while it revealed concerns that residents had following the closure of Marks and Spencer’s, it also showed the immense amount of pride people had in their town centre.
Ms Williams has been working with business owners in the town not just to hear more about the challenges they're facing, but to find ways of overcoming those challenges.
Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said:
“It’s always worrying when so called ‘anchor stores’ shut, and concerns about the future of Neath town centre really came through in my survey into the future of Neath town centre – launched in the wake of the news of Marks and Spencer’s closing.
“However, in a relatively short space of time, we’ve gone from people spreading rumours that Neath market was also going to close to it once again being celebrated as a vital part of the character and economy of the town centre.
“I’d like to offer my thanks and congratulations to the market traders, who have themselves delivered and supported lots of exciting events and activities designed to draw people in, such as Love Your Local Market Fortnight, Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae, a Pumpkin Hunt and Santa’s Grotto every Saturday until Christmas.
“There’s a responsibility on Welsh Government to ensure the plans they have support this type of on-the-ground activity. They must also ensure their Town Centre Strategy helps to update and make energy efficient older, iconic buildings that are crucial to town centres’ prosperity and identity, such as Neath general market.
“I’m delighted that the Cabinet Secretary has accepted my invite to Neath Town Centre, and I’m looking forward to showing her the vast potential and the great icon that is the historic Neath market.
“It’s Small Business Saturday on December 7th and it’s really important to support the small businesses in your area – the markets, independent traders, and local, homegrown initiatives – not just on Saturday but all year around. That’s why I’ve been showcasing different areas of my region with my Virtual Advent Calendar. It’s important we support and celebrate our local high streets and the small businesses where we live.”