On the 15th November, the Cabinet of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council published a progress report on the regeneration of Pontypridd Town Centre. In this report, the development options for both the Bingo Hall site and 96-99a and 100-102 Taff Street (the old M&S and Dorothy Perkins/Burtons building) are described as ‘currently being considered’.
Having attended briefings as a Senedd Member and a local Councillor about the future of these sites, it seems that the thoughts of those that live, work and enjoy Pontypridd are not being factored into decision making processes.
So that I can best represent your views, I’d like to hear from local residents, businesses and users of the town about what you’d like to see happen to these sites. I’d be grateful if you could please do so by completing this short survey.
Showing 60 reactions
A: No
A: Supermarket such as Waitrose plus selection of independent shops
A: Supermarket such as Waitrose plus selection of independent shops
A: Hotel with shop units below on High Street with well known chain restaurants such as Nandos, Cote Brasserie, Piza Express.
A: Clothing shop one which everyone can afford etc primark , more shops ponty us full of charity shops , there’s nothing here to attract younger generation.
A: No
A: no big chain shops please. think out of the box, a place for our young people to gather, snooker tables, table tennis tables, information centre, a drop in place for people who need support or feel isolated, a place to run courses for our communities, cooking, budgeting, how to repair things, a clothing swap shop, a safe bike storage area, a credit union where people can save and take out a loan without huge interest rates. A hub for useful things to help improve quality of live.
A: I would like to see the M and S building become a multi purpose building used for many purposes to serve local people and to improve the quality of peoples lives. I would love to see an recreation and information zone for our young people 11-17 yrs old who are way underprovided for in Pontypridd town centre. I would like to see a drop in centre for people to come in for a chat as mental health and loneliness are a huge problem. I would also like to see a repair centre where things can be repaired or recycled or indeed upcycled. I would also like to see a space where local ctaftspeople can share skills and sell there goods. Also I would like to see a credit union where people can save money then take out a loan without huge repayment costs. I dont think a big chain store will come to Pontyridd in the current financial situation but I do believe that we need to think out of the box and think what is really needed in Pontypridd.
A: No
A: Independent stalls, library of things, exhibition space, workshops.
A: Keep this a green area, plant some trees and bee friendly edibles.
A: No
A: Well know discount shops
Wilko, one below. Entertainer. Hmv. Jd sports
A: Independent shops
Benches
Flowers
Trees
A: Yes
A: Locally owned shops rather than larger chains
A: Local owned shops
A: Yes
A: A home bargains in town would be amazing
A: A wilko store would bring something extra to the town. They showed interest in coming to town in the past and I think they would provide things that aren’t currently available in town
A: Yes
A: See previous answer regarding hotel. This site could be flats overlooking the river with smaller independent retail or an indy trader ‘department store’ in the M&S. You could do a hotel/bar/restaurant in part of it as well as the ‘dept store’ ??
A: I think a hotel with bar/restaurant at the ground level and undercroft parking would be a great addition to the town. How can a University town not have a decent hotel? Failing that use the buildings opposite old m&s etc for the hotel and parking and leave the bingo Hall site as open space – the light into town centre is amazing now it’s gone!
A: No
A: Again … more independent shops … not generic corporate faceless trade that you will find EVERYWHERE … let’s make pontypridd a must come to place because it offers something different :)
A: Independent shops …. cafes … toilets …. not generic phone shops AGAIN or vape shops AGAIN …. shops to bring interest trade and footfall to our much needing town . At the moment apart from a few newer shops pontypridd still lacks the enticement to come and browse to buy …
A: No
A: A modern shopping arcade.
A: I would like more public toilets in the town centre during the daytime. I don’t begrudge paying the 20p to use the market toilets but you really have to go out of your way sometimes to get there and they are on limited hours. My friend has moved back around here after years away and he has started using the town but was shocked at the lack of toilet facilities.