Millions pledged to revive Welsh centres — Swansea, Port Talbot, Haverfordwest, Porthcawl and Bridgend among winners

Town and city centres across Wales are in line for a major facelift after the Welsh Government unveiled a £19.6m cash package. The funding, part of the Transforming Towns and Placemaking programmes, will target empty shops, tired public spaces and stalled developments — with South West Wales councils among the biggest winners.

Swansea’s Biophilic Living gets fresh cash

Swansea Council has secured more than £559,000 for the commercial and retail elements of the flagship Biophilic Living scheme, which promises 50 affordable homes alongside shops and offices in a nature‑inspired design.

A further £1.36m is earmarked for the Mowbray Yard redevelopment, creating a new green courtyard space in the heart of the city centre.

Port Talbot facelift for Aberafan Shopping Centre

In Port Talbot, up to £840,000 will fund a redesign of the public realm outside the southern entrance of the Aberafan Shopping Centre, aiming to boost footfall and modernise the tired frontage.

Haverfordwest Wilko site transformed

Pembrokeshire County Council will receive more than £1.27m to redevelop the former Wilko store in Haverfordwest, part of the Western Quayside regeneration. A smaller grant of £100,000 will also support works at 16‑18 Bridge Street.

Porthcawl seafront gets new events space

Bridgend Council has secured £600,000 to create a new events space on the Hillsboro South site in Porthcawl, a key part of the seafront regeneration plans.

Wyndham House overhaul for Bridgend town centre

Bridgend will also benefit from £1.78m to acquire and refurbish Wyndham House, with housing association Valleys to Coast planning to transform the building into its new HQ alongside apartments and commercial units.

Welsh Government hails “heart and soul” of communities

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant said the funding would “breathe new life into our high streets, support local traders, and create the vibrant, welcoming spaces that our communities deserve.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

City Centre ‘Biophilic Swansea’ scheme ‘a first for the UK’
Landmark Biophilic Living project promises homes, shops and offices built around nature-inspired design.

New city centre courtyard to honour late council officer Huw Mowbray
Swansea Council begins work on Mowbray Yard, a green courtyard space due for completion in 2026.

Aberavon Shopping Centre regeneration coverage
Updates and stories on Port Talbot’s busiest retail hub, including plans for a public realm facelift.

Haverfordwest ‘Western Quayside’ project gets underway
Bold redevelopment of the former department store site aims to transform the riverside area.

Valleys to Coast unveils plans to transform Bridgend town centre building
Wyndham House set to become housing association HQ alongside apartments and commercial units.

#AberavonShoppingCentre #biophilicBuilding #Bridgend #CivicSquare #funding #Haverfordwest #HillsboroSouth #JayneBryantMS #MowbrayYard #PortTalbot #Porthcawl #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #TransformingTowns #WelshGovernment #WesternQuayside #Wilko #WyndhamHouse

New signature bridge installed in Haverfordwest overnight

The striking structure replaces the town’s old footbridge and forms part of the Heart of Pembrokeshire regeneration project, which also includes the Western Quayside transformation and the new public transport interchange.

Dozens of onlookers gathered late on Saturday evening to see a specialist crane manoeuvre the bridge into position, with work continuing into the early hours of Sunday. The bridge will now undergo final finishing before an official opening date is confirmed.

The new bridge deck being lowered into place
(Image: Pembrokeshire Council)

Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “It’s great to see the town’s new bridge in place. Connecting the new Western Quayside development – which we expect to be fully open and occupied over the next couple of months – to the new car park and bus interchange (opening in summer 2026) is an important part of the wider Haverfordwest Masterplan.

“The bridge is just one of a number of key public sector‑led infrastructure projects reaching completion in 2025 and we’re beginning now to move to the next phase of the plan. Private sector investment is following… and we’re expecting further new tenancy announcements to that Riverside core in the coming months that will drive footfall and further enhance the town centre.”

The new bridge in situ which replaces the town’s old footbridge.
(Image: Pembrokeshire Council)

Cllr Tom Tudor, Castle Ward member, said: “I am delighted that the installation of the new bridge and removal of the old bridge was a great success. When works are completed, this can only enhance the centre of Haverfordwest for the benefit of all concerned. The structure is an incredible piece of engineering that will improve connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.”

The arrival of the bridge follows last week’s announcement that Tenby Brewing Company will open in the former Marychurch Foundry as part of the Western Quayside development, alongside the Waldo Lounge.

#bridge #Haverfordwest #PembrokeshireCouncil #WesternQuayside