The former Marks & Spencer site in Pontypridd town centre has officially opened to the public today (Thursday, 25 June), transforming the long vacant site into a new riverside plaza.
The development has removed the large unused buildings that may otherwise have fallen into disrepair, replacing them with a vibrant public space featuring seating, greenery and views across the river and Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.
For the first time in more than 100 years, the town has been opened up towards the river, creating a central space that can also be used to support town centre events.
The site has now been handed over to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council by contractor Horan Construction Ltd, allowing it to open immediately to visitors.
Although the riverside plaza is now open, some finishing works are still to be completed. This includes the installation of two food and drink kiosks, which are due to be delivered and installed on Sunday, 28 June.
From Thursday, visitors can access the site from Taff Street as well as via a separate entrance near the park footbridge. The area will remain open while the remaining works are completed, although some sections will be temporarily cordoned off to allow work to continue safely, including the next phase of the site’s electrical supply in coordination with The National Grid.
The delivery of the kiosks on Sunday evening, between 5pm and 10pm, will require a brief local road closure. Once installed, they will be connected to utility services before receiving their final internal fit out ahead of opening.
The riverside plaza forms part of the Council’s wider Pontypridd Placemaking Plan, which is delivering regeneration projects across the town, including flood alleviation improvements.
More than £5.6 million in external funding was secured for the project through the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme, which contributed £3.68 million, and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, which provided £1.95 million.
Councillor Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing said: “I’m delighted to celebrate the opening of this important public space created within Pontypridd Town Centre, with the Council delivering upon its commitment to bring the large site back into use. This project, combined with the public realm scheme at the former bingo hall site, has made a huge difference to ensure this area of town feels lighter and brighter – while creating a modern new space that everyone is welcome to enjoy, and exposing fantastic views that look over both the river and the park.
“We’ve welcomed integral funding and support from both the UK and Welsh Governments to deliver the project, with the Council securing a total £5.6 million funding package. It’s the latest success story in our wider Pontypridd Placemaking Plan which has delivered key regeneration projects across town – from the Llys Cadwyn development to the Cwrt yr Orsaf extra care housing scheme, Y Muni, YMa, and many improvements at Ynysangahrad War Memorial Park. We’re also developing an exciting scheme for the police station and Berw Road Car Park site, as our focus now turns to the town’s northern gateway.
“With the ‘riverside plaza’ ready to open on Thursday, it’s been fitted out with lighting, seating, and green areas – and these will soon be joined by two food/drink kiosks being delivered to site on Sunday, June 28. These are part of some additional works that will need to be completed, and visitors may notice those activities taking place soon. I’d like to thank residents, businesses and visitors to Pontypridd for accommodating our works over the past year – and I’d also like to thank our contractor Horan for their dedication in delivering this scheme on time for everyone to enjoy, particularly over the summer ahead.”
The scheme has also incorporated trees and planting, new biodiverse habitats and sustainable drainage features. Most of the site has been raised above the flood zone, based on flood modelling, while the lane leading to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park has benefited from improved surfacing and new lighting.
