Bridgend Indoor Market is set to benefit from a funding boost to help develop small business opportunities and increase consumer interest and footfall.
The council has received £120,000 from the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund to deliver the Bridgend Elevate and Prosper Project (EAP).
An additional £11,800 match funding has been received via the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns initiative, which is a Welsh Government programme providing support for the revitalisation of town centres in Wales.
Project activities are taking place across the county borough’s urban centres such as Bridgend, Porthcawl, Maesteg and Pencoed, as well as smaller towns in rural communities.
One of the key areas of work for the project is Bridgend Indoor Market, located in the Rhiw Shopping Centre, Bridgend. A series of popup initiatives is being developed to create opportunities for business start-ups and micro-business to establish and grow. It is also hoped that this will lead to greater footfall and dwell time in the market. The project not only makes spaces available and helps broker the process, but also provides wraparound business support and advice, as well as some small grants to further assist business development.
One new entrepreneur taking part in the pop-up initiative Katrina Evans, said:
This is a great opportunity to develop my small business, and I am looking forward to trialling my products in front of a wider audience at Bridgend Indoor Market.
I’m really grateful for the support I have received from the Pop Up Wales initiative, and I can’t wait to get Kat’s Wax, Wick and Wonders up and running.
Kat’s Wax, Katrina Evans
This is exciting news for people in the county borough, and an excellent opportunity for start-up businesses and potential entrepreneurs to test out their business ideas in the marketplace.
The level of financial support and advice offered through this initiative presents an ideal opportunity for individuals to establish an enterprise with very little outlay, offering the best chance of success while investing in and helping to nurture the local economy.
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Neelo Farr
