Regeneration plan could change the face of Llandudno
Richard Evans, local democracy reporter
A regeneration plan which “could change the face of Llandudno” and attract young people and families to the town was backed by Conwy Council’s cabinet this week.
Members voted in support of the Llandudno 10 Year Regeneration Plan, a vision to target funding opportunities from Welsh Government.
The aim of the plan is to create a reinvigorated Llandudno, making it a distinctive and desirable place in which to live, invest, do business, and visit.
Consequently, the plans listed in the report are aspirational, but the report will be used as a basis to target funds such as pots available from Welsh Government.
Ideas included in the report vary widely, but proposed are pop-up and floating restaurants, food vans, street food, and gazebos offering food and drink.
Other ideas include a farmers’ market at Bodafon Field, an outdoor theatre at Happy Valley, and extending the tram’s operation season.
The plan also suggests creating an urban sports park with ramps for skateboarders, BMX bikers, and scooter riders close to the paddling pool, to provide a hub for young people and family-oriented activities.
The plan states night buses could improve public transport in and out of the town together with park and ride facilities.
Last week Conwy’s economy and place overview and scrutiny committee backed the same plan, which includes proposals for electric sea gliders travelling between Liverpool and Llandudno.
‘Exciting’
Cllr Julie Fallon was one of several councillors excited about the plans.
She said: “It is really exciting. It really is. For years I’ve thought, with all due respect to Llandudno, it’s been somewhat stuck in a kind of older period, understandably catering to an older generation that came historically and wanted a different offer.
“But I think the world has shifted and changed, and we can provide for both that older generation and for those families and younger people who might be tempted to come.
“It is really exciting talking about creating spaces where food vans are selling high-quality food for pop-ups of restaurants that already exist providing something different and exciting in a different venue, encouraging obviously Welsh products and projects.
“Providing night buses, something as simple as that would make a real difference if you are wanting to encourage younger people to come along and eat in a restaurant in Llandudno.
“Reactivating the outdoor theatre space at Happy Valley – I mean that is so exciting.
“I’ve been to venues all over the country and in (other parts of) the world where it’s something really different, and where would you see a better setting than that, in Happy Valley with the view with the pier and the Orme and sea?
“This is just really exciting.”
She added: “I just hope there’s investment opportunities there to try and realise some of this.
“It could really change the face (of Llandudno) and in a really positive way.”
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For a start, Conwy should cease allowing the building of so many retirement flats (most not for the needs of local people, by the way!) and start building affordable housing for the youngsters. I was brought up near Llandudno, although I left many years ago. It always felt like a hostile town for young people. Very little to do or places to hang out and as youngsters we were always shoed away from places we went to socialize. Although it is a beautiful town generally, it has always been geared towards the older generations who retire there. Conwy need to… Read more »
I think Llandudno is virtually unique in the UK. It is an ideal location for Senior Citizens, often because they are no longer able to travel abroad – after all some banks travel insurance has an age limit of 70. The prom is flat an an easy after dinner stroll, the shopping centre is vibrant, compare it to Bangor. The grey pound is strong and protected by a generation with index linked final salary pensions and the triple lock. If anything Llandudno needs to cater for tourists that accustomed but no longer able to take luxurious cruises/foreign holidays. Llandudno has… Read more »
to build the facilities a truly independent country needs.
That programme “The Reckoning” about Jimmy Saville thinks Llandudno is Scarborough so perhaps it does need a facelift.
The main issue is unaffordable housing, far too many retirement properties and a complete lack of any industry that isn’t geared towards tourism. Pretty much the whole of the North Wales coast is aimed at keeping any local families on a low wage serving food, in the hotels or in retail and as such young people end up moving out of the area to be able to make a career for themselves instead and not having to travel miles every day to do so. Bringing in more restaurants and pop up stalls is only feeding the problem. Air BNB buyers… Read more »
Do more for the local community. Very few people who was born there moved out . Why. The answer is right in front of you. All council homes are taken up with people from all over the world and locals have to look else where. Reason well the council no the answer to that. It’s a descrace. Then almost ever flat house business is owned buy the rich from around England Ireland and I know one French man who owns several homes and rents them for holiday rentals. Get a grip llandudno. I used to visit 5 to 6 times… Read more »
I recently stayed in llandudno for three nights, on my first trip to the homeland. I loved it seemed laid back and sane. Could only dream of retiring to that beautiful place. To a boy raised in the country in Alabama, it was as close to heaven as I’ve been….just as it is.