Editor‘GAME CHANGER’: Council swoops to buy shopping centre amid fears over collapse risk
In a move being hailed as a potential “game changer”, Bridgend County Borough Council has bought the 2.27-acre site — raising hopes of major regeneration, new facilities and a fresh future for the heart of the town.
But the deal comes after serious concerns about the building’s condition, with dangerous RAAC concrete previously forcing the closure of the indoor market hall in 2023 — as reported in our earlier coverage.
From crisis to comeback?
For years, the future of the Rhiw has been hanging in the balance.
The discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) left parts of the ageing complex facing costly repairs — and sparked fears the entire site could eventually shut or be sold off in pieces.
Now, council bosses say they’ve stepped in just in time.
Leader Cllr John Spanswick revealed the authority had been working “behind the scenes” to secure the deal — preventing the centre from being broken up or falling into further decline.
“This has the potential to be a game changer for the future of Bridgend town centre,” he said.
The entrance to The Rhiw Shopping Centre in Bridgend, which will remain open while regeneration plans are developed.(Image: Bridgend County Borough Council)
What happens next?
Despite the dramatic takeover, shoppers won’t see immediate changes — with the Rhiw set to stay open while new plans are drawn up.
But behind the scenes, a major rethink is already underway.
The council says the site could eventually be transformed into a much broader destination, with the potential for a new market at its heart, alongside a mix of retail units, community facilities and modern public spaces. There is also the possibility of new accommodation being introduced, signalling a shift towards a more mixed-use town centre.
The scale of the opportunity is huge — and officials say it will require close collaboration with both public and private sector partners to turn those ambitions into reality.
Traders ‘will be supported’
Existing businesses have been told they won’t be left in the dark.
The council has pledged to consult traders on future plans and offer support throughout any redevelopment — a key concern given the uncertainty that has surrounded the site in recent years.
Cllr Neelo Farr said the purchase was an “invest to save” decision — warning the building was already nearing the end of its life.
“None of us are prepared to watch the structure fall into decline,” she said.
Bigger picture for Bridgend
The Rhiw deal is just one piece of a wider transformation taking place across Bridgend.
The town centre is already seeing significant investment, with major developments including a new Bridgend College campus at Cheapside, new housing and headquarters for Valleys to Coast in Dunraven Place, and a health and wellbeing centre preparing to open at Sunnyside.
Council leaders believe that bringing the Rhiw into public ownership — given its size and central location — could unlock even greater opportunities and help tie these projects together into a wider regeneration story.
Funded by public cash
The £5.37m purchase has been funded through a mix of sources, including £2.45 million from Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns fund, £1.8 million from the council’s revenue budget, and just over £1 million from its capital programme.
Welsh Government minister Jayne Bryant welcomed the move, saying it could deliver “long-lasting improvements” and help revitalise the town centre.
A long road ahead
While the headlines promise transformation, the reality is this is just the beginning.
The council now faces the challenge of dealing with structural issues, reshaping the site — and convincing the public that Bridgend town centre can bounce back.
But after years of uncertainty, one thing is clear:
The future of the Rhiw is no longer out of the council’s hands.
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