Welsh Government boosts regeneration budget with extra £17m for town and city centres
Welsh Government boosts regeneration budget with extra £17m for town and city centres
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Town and city centres across Wales are set for a further wave of investment after the Welsh Government announced an extra £17 million for regeneration projects, increasing this year’s Transforming Towns budget to £57 million.
The funding, unveiled on 4 August by Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant during a visit to Wrexham, will be channelled through local authorities to accelerate work aimed at revitalising high streets, creating jobs and attracting more visitors.
The Transforming Towns programme, a flagship initiative aimed at tackling empty buildings, improving public spaces and supporting independent businesses, had already committed £40 million for 2025-26. The new allocation will enable more projects to move forward across the country, with the Welsh Government emphasising its ambition to “breathe new life” into urban centres.
Bryant said the extra investment was intended to create lasting economic benefits while making town centres more attractive places to live, work and visit.
“Projects like the revitalised Butchers’ Market demonstrate how our funding creates jobs, supports local businesses and makes town centres vibrant places where people want to live, work and visit,” she said.
“Through the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, we have invested more than £156 million over the past three years and this additional £17 million will accelerate that progress, breathing new life into town centres across Wales and delivering the economic growth that our communities deserve.”
Bryant’s announcement came during a tour of Wrexham city centre, which has already benefited from more than £10 million in Transforming Towns funding. Much of that investment has gone into projects that are now either complete or approaching completion.
A key example is the historic indoor Butchers’ Market, which underwent a major refurbishment backed by a £2.5 million Welsh Government grant. The upgrades have created new independent retail spaces, boosted footfall and contributed to what officials describe as a more vibrant city centre.
Elsewhere in Wrexham, public realm improvements along the High Street have introduced pedestrian-friendly spaces, green infrastructure and open-air dining areas designed to appeal to both residents and tourists.
Councillor Nigel Williams, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Economy, Business and Tourism, said the work was already having a visible impact.
“The city centre remains at the heart of our local economy and identity, and that’s why the Transforming Towns programme has been so important to us,” Williams said.
“The Butchers’ Market, General Market and the improvements to High Street and the surrounding area are great examples of how we’re working with Welsh Government to reimagine and re-energise key elements of the city.”
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, added: “I’d like to thank the Cabinet Secretary Jayne Bryant for her incredible support, and for working with us to really transform some of our key high street infrastructure and buildings.
“Wrexham is a fantastic city and the funding we’ve received through the Transforming Towns initiative has made a huge difference.”
The extra £17 million marks a significant uplift for the Transforming Towns programme, which the Welsh Government says has already delivered tangible results across Wales.
Since 2022, more than £156 million has been invested in regeneration projects, targeting not only physical improvements to high streets but also measures to support new uses for empty properties and attract private investment.
The Government has positioned the programme as part of its broader strategy to boost economic activity in the wake of pandemic-related challenges and changing retail habits. With many Welsh towns experiencing rising vacancy rates and declining footfall in recent years, ministers have argued that targeted public investment is essential to unlock private sector confidence.
Officials say the funding is also intended to complement other Welsh Government initiatives, such as support for small and medium-sized businesses, investment in transport links and the push for greener urban infrastructure.
Under the Transforming Towns framework, local authorities identify regeneration priorities in consultation with businesses, community groups and residents. Funding can be used for a wide range of purposes, from restoring historic buildings and creating public squares to improving lighting, accessibility and digital connectivity.
The Welsh Government has stressed the importance of projects being tailored to the unique character and needs of each community, rather than adopting a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Bryant’s visit to Wrexham was intended to highlight how partnership between national and local government can deliver visible improvements. Wrexham Council has been particularly active in leveraging Welsh Government funding alongside other sources, including UK Government levelling-up grants and private investment, to push forward its city centre masterplan.
With Wrexham now enjoying increased national and international attention thanks to the success of its football club and the city’s growing cultural profile, local leaders see regeneration as an opportunity to maximise those gains.
Officials argue that the transformation of the Butchers’ Market into a high-quality retail destination offers a template for other Welsh towns seeking to repurpose traditional spaces for modern audiences.
The High Street redesign, meanwhile, is being cited as evidence that pedestrianisation and green spaces can be compatible with thriving hospitality businesses, an approach that could influence similar schemes elsewhere in Wales.
The Welsh Government will now work with councils across the country to allocate the extra £17 million, with projects expected to be announced over the coming months.
Given the scale of investment already committed, ministers say they want to see “shovel-ready” schemes that can be delivered quickly while meeting long-term regeneration goals.
Bryant concluded her visit by reiterating that the funding was part of a sustained effort, not a one-off injection.
“This is about more than short-term improvements,” she said. “It’s about building the foundations for lasting economic growth, supporting our high streets to adapt to the future, and making our town and city centres places we can all be proud of.”
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