Case study

Pontypool Town Centre boosted with £7.6 million (Levelling Up Fund 2)

Torfaen council will use £7.6 million from the Levelling Up Fund to regenerate Pontypool Town Centre. Derelict buildings will be refurbished to create a restaurant and a multi-purpose culture and arts centre.

The package of three projects is located around the Hanbury Road/Glantorvaen Road junction.

Cultural and Arts centre

Funding will regenerate the derelict, Grade II listed, St James’ Church into a thriving cultural hub.

The new cultural centre will include:

  • a pop-up cinema and food and beverage outlets
  • mixed use space, including a mezzanine bar
  • exhibition and community event space

Cllr Joanne Gauden, Executive Member for Economy, Skills & Regeneration, said:

The cultural hub is the cornerstone of our Pontypool Placemaking plans. We have some wonderful assets in the town and all these projects will deliver a reason to visit Pontypool of an evening.

A new café and restaurant

Public toilets opposite St James’ Church and at the entrance of Pontypool Park will also be redeveloped. The toilets will be transformed into a landmark café and restaurant.

The new café and and restaurant will:

  • offer a high-quality lunchtime café offer and ‘small plates’ style restaurant in the evening
  • create opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship

Glantorvaen Carpark

Funding will also be used to renovate the existing Glantorvaen car park.

Improvements will:

  • provide safe and secure parking
  • introduce solar energy power into the facility
  • include electrical charging points
  • reduce the opportunities for antisocial behaviour

The package of projects will kickstart Pontypool’s wider regeneration

Find out more about Levelling Up

Updates to this page

Published 1 November 2023