Calls to help make Welsh town centres sustainable

The Auditor General for Wales has recommended that local authorities use their existing powers and resources available to achieve the best possible outcome for town centres.

One is seven shops on Welsh high streets are now empty, despite Welsh Government investing and levering in £892.6 million in the last seven years. The Auditor General says that local authorities don’t have the capacity to respond to this situation and are not always using the powers they have to help regenerate towns.

The review says that successful councils must focus on the four I’s - Intention, Involvement, Informed, Intervention - and that the Welsh Government must make good on their prioritising town centre regeneration going forward through a national programme of change.

Adrian Crompton, Auditor General, said: “Rapid change is taking place in our town centres and the full impact of Covid-19 is yet to be felt. Priorities for action that appeared reasonable 18 months ago no longer reflect the changes that are taking place and the challenges that now need to be addressed. National and local government need to deliver integrated solutions, make brave decisions and provide bold, ambitious leadership if we are to address the challenges facing our town centres.”