A financial support package needs reforming to “breathe new life” into Wales’ town centres, said the Member of the Senedd for the Monmouth constituency.
Concerns have been raised with the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Fund because– although it’s welcome - its funding streams only provide financial support in the short-term, with one running out later this year.
As a result, Peter Fox today in Plenary called on the Minister for the Economy, Vaughan Gething, to urgently reform the package to ensure those eligible can access it in the long-term.
He said:
“As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, it’s crucial that the Welsh Government instils confidence and encourages consumer spending back in our town centres.
“Granted, the Transforming Towns Fund is going some way to help town centres in my constituency—Monmouth—and Wales, but its funding streams are only short-term.
“This is such a crucial time to get our economy back on its feet – and businesses need all the support they can get. Therefore the fund needs reforming to reflect that our town centres will require help in the long-term to recover from COVID. It’s essential that the package’s funding streams are available in the long-term to breathe new life into our struggling town centres.”
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