Council adds a splash of colour to town centres

Empty property owners at a county’s town centres towns are being invited to install striking images in their front windows – free of charge – to liven up the appearance of the areas.

Gwynedd Council’s Town Centres Programme is aimed at contributing towards encouraging investments to the area, to increase pride locally, and to promote the vision of lively town centres.

This specific scheme within the programme will help to ensure that local people, visitors and consumers across Gwynedd get a positive experience when visiting the county’s towns.

No cost

‘Vinyls’ – which are striking images of the area – will be available at no cost to the owners of shops and other empty buildings within 18 towns in Gwynedd.

All the building owner needs to do is to contact one of the Council’s Economy Department officers for a chat, allow access to the property to measure and install it and take responsibility for the vinyl once it is in place.

Councillor ⁠Nia Jeffreys, Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Community said: “If you own an empty building in the towns that are a part of the scheme – perhaps an old shop or office that is not being used at the moment – I would encourage you to take advantage of this exciting opportunity.

“We all know that image is important to instil confidence in our towns, and this is a good opportunity to add a splash of colour to our local towns.

“Once the owner contacts the Council, our officers will check that the building in question meets the criteria and if everyone agrees with the terms of the schemethe work can go ahead.

“Each application received will be considered.  However, dependent on the level of interest and the suitability of the property’s windows, there is a possibility that not every application will be successful.

“We are very pleased that Cyngor Gwynedd is able to work with with the county’s town councils, local members and property owners to design and install vinyls that depict striking images of the area.”

Eligibility

The scheme is available in the following towns: Bangor, Caernarfon, Pwllheli, Porthmadog, Bala, Dolgellau, Bethesda, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Barmouth, Nefyn, Harlech, Penrhyndeudraeth, Penygroes, Cricieth, Llanberis, Abersoch, Aberdyfi, and Tywyn. To be eligible, the property must be within the town centre boundaries.

To apply for the scheme, or to discuss the matter, owners have been asked to contact Cyngor Gwynedd by emailing: [email protected] or phone: 07764399882 before 7 June 2024. ⁠

This scheme is part of the Cyngor Gwynedd Town Centres Programme and is funded through the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund