Former Barcode nightclub on High Street set for residential conversion
A disused property on High Street in Merthyr Tydfil is due to be transformed into new town‑centre housing after the Welsh Government allocated a six‑figure grant to the project. The funding, announced as part of the Transforming Towns Fund, will support the redevelopment of the upper floors of the former Barcode nightclub at 92–94 High Street into eight one‑bed self‑contained homes.
The scheme is being led by Gwent Associates Limited in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, which said the conversion will provide much‑needed residential accommodation in the town centre while retaining commercial use at ground‑floor level. Works will include a full internal refurbishment and a programme of retrofit measures.
- Number of homes: 8 one‑bed units
- Grant awarded: £710,000 from the Transforming Towns Fund
- Location: 92–94 High Street, former Barcode nightclub
The council set out that the refurbishment will involve structural repairs, fire‑safety upgrades and energy‑efficiency improvements — components intended to bring the upper floors up to modern standards for long‑term residential use. The ground floor is to remain in commercial use, maintaining a street‑level presence on a central retail thoroughfare.
“This investment will help bring a long‑underused building back into productive use, support town‑centre regeneration, and deliver high‑quality new homes for Merthyr Tydfil.”
The announcement comes amid a wider boost to the programme: the Welsh Government recently confirmed an extra £30.9 million for local authorities to deliver regeneration projects across Wales. Since its launch in 2020, the Transforming Towns initiative has provided over £484 million in grants and loans; the fresh funding brings the total planned investment for 2025–26 to £56.3 million.
| Fund | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transforming Towns grant for Barcode site | £710,000 |
| Additional Welsh Government regeneration funding (recent) | £30.9m |
| Total Transforming Towns awards since 2020 | £484m+ |
| Planned investment for 2025–26 | £56.3m |
Council officers described the proposal as a means of returning an underused building to productive use and supporting the wider regeneration of the town centre. For residents and businesses on the High Street, the project signals continued public investment in the core of Merthyr Tydfil, where efforts to reinvigorate retail, leisure and workspaces have been a priority for local planners.
While the council confirmed the grant allocation, it noted the final award remains subject to the completion of a grant agreement with the developer. Once formalised, work will begin on the internal refurbishment, with the retrofit package aimed at improving energy performance and safety standards — considerations that affect the long‑term viability and running costs of new town‑centre homes.
Local people have in recent years called for more housing options close to the town centre to support independent shops, reduce vacancy and encourage a round‑the‑clock presence on the High Street. Converting upper floors above shops has been a common approach in Welsh towns seeking to make the most of existing buildings while boosting footfall for street‑level businesses.
The Barcode project will join a portfolio of schemes across Wales supported by the Transforming Towns Fund, which covers a range of activity from creative industries and leisure to transport and heritage projects. For Merthyr Tydfil, the proposal represents a practical example of how central funding can be deployed to tackle empty floorspace and increase local housing supply.
Further details on timelines and the appointment of contractors are expected once the grant agreement has been signed and the developer confirms next steps.
