More needs to be done to regenerate Wales’ town centres, Senedd hears

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2024

MORE must be done to regenerate Wales’ town centres due to the impact of the pandemic, out-of-town developments and changing shopping habits, the Senedd heard.

Mark Isherwood led a debate in the Senedd on a public accounts committee report following an inquiry on town centre regeneration in Wales.

The committee chair said much good work is being done to improve town centres but the pace of regeneration must be accelerated.

Mr Isherwood warned Wales’ high streets have been changed immeasurably by the pandemic and the increased prevalence of online shopping.

The Tory raised concerns about poor transport links and a lack of car parking affecting footfall as he stressed the importance of developing an integrated, affordable system.

Calling for a simple approach to taxation, Mr Isherwood, who represents North Wales, argued the current business rates system disincentives investment in towns.

He recommended a more interventionist, pragmatic approach to planning – favouring town centres over out-of-town developments – with a focus on repurposing empty properties.

Mike Hedges, a member of the committee, which visited Morriston, Mold, Carmarthen and Wrexham as part of its inquiry, said the days of retail-dominated town centres have ended.

The Labour backbencher, who represents Swansea East, told the chamber: “I recently made a list of retailers that have closed in the last 20 years.

“It was both long and depressing, and if I read out only the big ones I would run out of time.”

Mr Hedges warned shops in town centres are dependent on a rapidly ageing group as he raised concerns about the closure of banks and the growth of digital payments.

Urging people to “use them or lose them”, he said: “Card processing fees are typically 1.5-3.5%, but they can be as high as 6% per sale item.

“What we could do to help out is to use cash when making a purchase from a small local retailer – it will help them and it will cost you the same.”

Natasha Asghar, a Conservative member of the committee, said the Welsh Government has 13 separate funding streams for town centres.

Calling for consolidation and less bureaucracy, the South Wales East MS said the auditor general identified management of the funding as “problematic”.

She told the chamber: “Making this funding easier to access would ultimately encourage more organisations to apply for funding, making town centre regeneration more accessible.”

Luke Fletcher, a Plaid Cymru MS who represents South Wales West, suggested empty office space could be used to address an acute shortage of one- and two-bedroom flats.

He said: “By bringing people into the town centre to live, you’re creating that in-built footfall, aren’t you, because those people are going to want services.

“They’re going to want to go for a coffee, they’re going to want to go for food, they’re going to want to go for a pint. So, you’re creating that in-built footfall.”

Replying to the debate on March 13 on behalf of the Welsh Government, Julie James warned that town centres face unprecedented challenges.

Wales’ climate change minister said: “The impact of out-of-town developments, changing retail habits and the Covid pandemic have all had consequences for our high streets.

“There are too many empty shops, too few homes and too little green space.”

Ms James told MSs the Welsh Government, which accepted the committee’s eight recommendations, has strengthened planning policies to put town centres first.

She said: “We want to see town centres considered first for the location of significant new commercial, retail, education, health, leisure and public service facilities.

“This diverse range of services will, indeed, drive footfall into our town centres.”

Rugby player’s life changed forever by random knife attack — attacker jailed for 22½ years

Published

3 minutes ago

December 19, 2025

Seren Baker

A YOUNG rugby player was left fighting for his life after being stabbed repeatedly outside a Gorseinon social club — and on Friday (Dec 19) the man responsible was jailed at Swansea Crown Court.

Morgan Hopkins, aged 18 at the time of the attack, was seriously injured in the early hours of Sunday (June 22) outside The New Lodge Social Club on Alexandra Road.

Mr Hopkins, known to friends as “Hobby”, is a local rugby player with Morriston RFC. He had been waiting for a lift home with his girlfriend when trouble broke out nearby.

The court heard that Mr Hopkins attempted to defuse a confrontation between another group of males and Kane Evans. As tensions rose, Evans approached Mr Hopkins armed with a knife.

In a final attempt to calm the situation, Mr Hopkins reportedly said: “No one needed to get hurt.”

***Morgan Hopkins,18, pictured here with his parents was left with life-changing injuries following the attack***

Moments later, Evans launched a ferocious and unprovoked attack.

Mr Hopkins was stabbed no fewer than ten times to the chest and abdomen. Surgeons later told police that one of the wounds was less than half an inch from being fatal.

He underwent extensive emergency surgery and was left with lasting physical and psychological injuries.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Hopkins described the terror of the attack and the devastating impact it has had on his life.

He said his dream of playing professional rugby had been put on hold, adding that the loss of weekly matches had left him feeling lost and isolated. He told the court he no longer felt safe in his own home and struggled to go out, describing ongoing anxiety and depression.

Mr Hopkins also detailed the financial consequences of the attack, saying he had lost around £4,800 in wages and a further £800 from a cancelled holiday.

Police confirmed that Kane Evans, now aged 21, had gone out that night armed with a kitchen knife and may also have been carrying a second Stanley-type blade.

Officers said Evans was aggressive at the time of his arrest and was later charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.

At Swansea Crown Court today, Evans was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison, with an extended licence period of five years to follow.

Passing sentence, the judge described the attack as random and extremely violent, warning that Evans posed a serious ongoing risk to the public.

Family members and supporters of Mr Hopkins were present in court as the sentence was handed down.

Since the attack, friends, teammates and members of the local community have rallied around Mr Hopkins, offering support as he continues his recovery from injuries that have permanently altered his life.

Crime

Police appeal after stolen Ford Fiesta crashes into lamppost

Published

24 minutes ago

December 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Officers ask residents to check CCTV and dashcam footage

POLICE are appealing for information following the theft of a vehicle in Ystradowen on Thursday evening (Dec 18).

A silver Ford Fiesta, registration CV05 CVJ, was reported stolen from a property on Brynawel Terrace, Penygraig Road, at around 5.30pm.

The vehicle was later discovered on New Road, Cwmllynfell, where it had been involved in a collision with a lamppost.

Dyfed-Powys Police are asking anyone who may have seen the vehicle, or who lives or travelled along the route between Brynawel Terrace and New Road, Cwmllynfell, to check their CCTV or dashcam footage in case the incident was captured.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by calling 101, or by sending a direct message via social media.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Quote reference: 25*1032732.

News

Appeal after bin lorry and e-bike near miss in Tregaron

Published

30 minutes ago

December 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Police seek witnesses and dashcam footage after rider injured

Dyfed-Powys Police are appealing for information following a near-miss collision involving a bin lorry and an electric bike rider in Tregaron, Ceredigion.

The incident is reported to have taken place between 12:00pm and 1:00pm on Saturday, December 13, near a property known as Crynfryn.

Police said the electric bike rider suffered injuries as a result of the incident.

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dashcam footage from the area at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Michael Jones at Dyfed-Powys Police via the online reporting form at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired can text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

Quote reference: DP-20251213-152.