Pontypool wins lotto makeover jackpot (From South Wales Argus)

Pontypool wins lotto makeover jackpot

3:50pm Wednesday 13th May 2009

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PONTYPOOL town centre will undergo a makeover worth nearly £900,000 as part of a project to boost its economy.

Pontypool was named as one of eight towns across the UK to receive the Heritage Lottery Fund cash, part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) which funds the regeneration of historic town centres with serious social and economic needs.

Torfaen council will use the £899,500 to restore town centre buildings, which it estimates will put over 3,000 sq metres of retail space back into use and create around 100 jobs.

The council is currently working on detailed plans on the improvements and the work, which is expected to begin within the next year and last for five years.

Deputy Leader of Torfaen council, Lewis Jones, said: “I have been with officers visiting other places, which have benefited from the scheme and it certainly is an exciting step for the future of the town.”

St James’ Church, a Grade II listed building in Hanbury Road, is identified as a critical restoration project for the scheme, along with a Grade II listed 18th century market house at 5, Commercial Street.

A spokeswoman for the Townscape Heritage Initiative said: “Pontypool is a great example of a town that would benefit from heritage-focused regeneration.

“The once vibrant and active town has suffered from the loss of major local employers and its commercial centre has lost trade to other retail and entertainment venues in the area.”

The funding will also support community initiatives, including activities to get local people engaged in researching the historic buildings as well as plaques, events and trails for people to explore the town’s heritage.

Richard Gardiner, 36, who has run the Pontypool Pets and Aqua shop in Market Street for 14 years, said: “Any money that is pumped into the town centre is welcome and could help bring more shoppers to the town.

“I think it is needed as I have seen the town centre deteriorate over the years.”

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