The local authority has completed a high-profile acquisition of the Rhiw Shopping Centre at the heart of Bridgend town centre in a deal worth £5.37m, signalling a fresh phase in the council’s efforts to reshape the town’s commercial and community offer.
A strategic purchase
Bridgend County Borough Council bought the site on Nolton Street from private owners Creative Assets Global Ltd as part of its town centre regeneration masterplan. The authority says the acquisition could unlock a range of new uses for the building, including a market, retail units, community facilities and additional accommodation.
The move follows the closure of the town’s historic market in September 2023 after the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the shopping centre’s roof, a structural issue that forced the indoor market hall to close for safety reasons.
How the purchase was funded
The council says the purchase was financed through a combination of Welsh Government support and council funds. The funding split provided by the authority is as follows:
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Welsh Government – Transforming Towns fund | £2.45m |
| Council revenue budget | £1.8m |
| Council capital programme | Just over £1m |
What the council says
A council spokesperson confirmed the Rhiw would continue to operate as a shopping centre while plans are developed, adding that existing businesses will be consulted on proposals. The authority framed the purchase as a way to prevent piecemeal sale and to give the council direct control over the site’s future.
“This deal has the potential to be a game changer for the future of Bridgend town centre, and I am grateful to Welsh Government for helping to fund the purchase of the Rhiw Shopping Centre.”
The council leader went on to highlight the Rhiw’s long-standing role in the town and the uncertainty following the RAAC discovery, which made the future of the indoor market and the wider building unclear.
Implications for businesses and the community
For traders who have operated in the shopping centre and the market hall, the purchase brings the prospect of greater stability and a seat at the table when proposals are drawn up. The council has emphasised consultation with existing businesses, but detailed plans — and a timetable for any changes — have yet to be published.
- Existing businesses will be consulted on any redevelopment proposals.
- The council intends the Rhiw to remain operational while plans are prepared.
- The purchase aims to avoid the site being sold off in separate parts to private developers.
Local residents and traders will be watching closely for further detail on how the masterplan translates into practical changes on the ground. The council’s control of the site does not remove the need for careful planning decisions: any redevelopment would still have to meet planning and safety standards, and address issues raised when the market closed because of RAAC.
Next steps
Council officers have said work has already been under way behind the scenes to secure the site and negotiate a way forward. The immediate priority, according to the council, is to keep the shopping centre functioning while drawing up options that could include a reinstated market hall and new community-facing uses. Further announcements are expected as proposals are developed and consultations with traders and residents take place.
The purchase marks a tangible shift in the council’s approach to town-centre regeneration — moving from influencing privately owned assets to direct stewardship. For Bridgend, a town that has seen a changing retail landscape and public concern since the market’s closure, it is a moment charged with both opportunity and expectation.
