Continental cafe culture arrives in Barry
The continental café culture has arrived in Barry as part of
the impressive town centre improvement programme.
A key feature of the Vale of Glamorgan
Council's £1m enhancement and highway facelift for Holton Road has
been the widening of pavements to create a more pedestrian friendly
environment, and a number of businesses have taken the opportunity
to provide al fresco seats and tables for their customers.
Council leader
and cabinet member for policy and regeneration Cllr Margaret
Alexander said: "I'm sure this continental café culture will be a
very popular addition to Barry town centre, with people taking a
break from shopping for something to eat and drink in the open air.
Weather permitting, of course!"
The regeneration scheme, which has been
undertaken by LGA Ltd, has transformed the appearance of the road
between King Square and the Civic Offices. It has been undertaken
through a Physical Regeneration Fund grant from the Welsh Assembly
Government.
And, thanks to a £450,000 grant from the Welsh
European Funding Office, the project will continue in the New Year
to encompass the Civic Offices frontage and additional areas of
Holton Road.
Cllr Alexander added: "Successful town centres
are vital to thriving communities. We appreciate the goodwill and
co-operation of the business community and local residents during
the works. We are hopeful that the new road layout and
environmental improvements transforming Barry town centre will
boost investor confidence in the area."
In another boost for the town centre, the
council has unveiled a commercial renewal area scheme under which
special grants are being made available towards the external
improvement of buildings.
The joint initiative involves the council and
the Assembly, with grants of up to 50 per cent for commercial
properties in the core Holton Road shopping area.
Certain criteria needs to be met to gain grant
approval, and funding will only be available to undertake high
quality improvement works.
Grants will generally cover external work to
frontages and the repair, restoration and replacement of shop
fronts, including, for example, rainwater goods, windows, doors,
fascia boards and signs. And appropriate roller shutters that will
'significantly enhance the external appearance of the
property.'
A design guide has been prepared to advise
property owners, and council officers will be able to assist.
The area identified for the grants is from the
Court Road multi-storey car park down to the Gladstone Bridge
roundabout.
Deputy leader and finance spokesman Cllr Neil
Moore said: "The grant scheme forms part of the council's
regeneration plans for Holton Road. We want to encourage owners to
upgrade their properties to enhance the area, raise the quality of
amenities for both local and visiting shoppers and encourage new
investment."
Further advice and information is available
from the Economic Development Unit, Docks Office, Barry, on (01446)
704782 or email barryregeneration@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.
Caption: Welcoming the
arrival of the continental café culture to Holton Road, Barry,
outside Terry's Café, are Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Cllr
Margaret Alexander, deputy leader Cllr Neil Moore and Albert
Birkett, managing director of LGA Ltd, contractors for the town
centre's £1m facelift.
17/12/2007