A post-Covid world could transform the fortunes of our towns with a shift away from ever expanding cities.
The pandemic has rapidly changed the way vast sections of society now work as well as impacting on shopping and leisure choices.
There is growing evidence of an exodus from cities with the belief the crisis could bring a renaissance for towns that have been left behind in recent decades.
Welsh Government believes this provides an opportunity for North Wales and wants to “supercharge” this natural move to boost some of our communities.
This includes investment in the regeneration of town centres and creating remote working hubs, bringing the workforce close to local shops and eating places.
Economy Minister Ken Skates told Business Post: “In a post-coronavirus world there may be a more important role for towns as places where people congregate and work.
“There is evidence of a rejuvenation in traditional market towns as people shop locally. We want to make sure as much investment as possible can go into town centres.
“It is fair to say in recent decades globally economic growth has contributed to the rapid growth of cities, often at the expense of the hinterland, towns that have felt left behind and left for disrepair in some respects.
“Now is the time to address that and Hannah Blythyn (Welsh Government deputy minister) is leading on the town centre-first initiative.”
He added: “An important element will be the creation of town centre remote working hubs so people don’t need to travel many miles to big office blocks that are often on the outskirts of towns and cities and instead people will be able to work within their community, within towns which then contribute to footfall which helps retail and hospitality and bring back a vibrancy to towns,
“That is an important piece of work as well as a concentration of regeneration work within towns.
“This could be a natural readjustment but can be enhanced with Welsh Government investment.
“This could really help places like Prestatyn, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Amlwch, Wrexham, places like Buckley, that have felt left behind as other areas have grown.
“We are on the verge of a very important phase in the reconstruction and regeneration of town centres.
“The Welsh Governments wants to encourage this and supercharge it.”
