Candidates outline Cardiff city centre revitalisation plans ahead of Senedd Election

Vibrant high streets, pledges to change business rates and policies for attracting visitors to the capital city were under the spotlight last week, when FOR Cardiff, the Business Improvement District (BID) for Cardiff city centre, brought together a cross-sector group of Cardiff business leaders for a hustings event ahead of the Senedd elections on May 7th. 

Candidates from Plaid Cymru, Wales Green Party, Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Labour and Welsh Liberal Democrats took part in the panel discussion chaired by journalist Will Hayward, exploring key issues that impact Cardiff city centre and high streets across Wales.

Reform UK Wales were also invited to participate but declined.

During a lively discussion, Plaid Cymru’s Anna Brychan pledged to reform business rates to better support small local businesses to ensure that communities in Cardiff and across Wales thrive, while Green Party candidate Tessa Marshall pledged that if her party forms part of the next government, they would replace business rates with a land value-based system, so that small businesses pay less while large contributions contribute more. 

The Welsh Conservative’s Calum Davies meanwhile said his party would scrap business rates for small firms, pubs and post offices and pilot business rate free periods for new retail business on Welsh high streets.

Reflecting on ensuring the future vibrancy and footfall in the city centre, Welsh Labour’s Huw Thomas stressed the transformative impact of the billion pound investment in the metro in Cardiff and the Valleys, which is enabling people to come into the city in a more sustainable way, and he also highlighted the party’s commitment to capping bus fares to £2 to help people travel for work and leisure during the cost of living crisis. 

Welsh Liberal Democrats candidate Rodney Berman highlighted their pledge of a £400m Town Centres Fund to make our high streets safer, cleaner and greener, which could be used to make the infrastructure in the city centre more attractive and welcoming. 

He added that he wants to see a prosperous city centre, deal with empty shops and ensure a more efficient transport system. 

FOR Cardiff Executive Director Carolyn Brownell said: “Acting as the leading voice for business in the city is an important strategic objective for FOR Cardiff. 

“From issues like business rates and the visitor levy to transport funding and regeneration projects the challenges and opportunities facing Cardiff are also key political issues. 

“This is the first time FOR Cardiff has hosted an event of this style, bringing together a cross-party conversation on the future of the city. 

“FOR Cardiff will work on behalf of our members to ensure that the next Welsh Government delivers the best outcomes possible for the city of Cardiff and this event is a key part of that work.”