Businesses in Tonypandy have voted to develop a Business Improvement District (BID) in the historic town to support future investment and development.
The decision comes as the town also prepares to undertake extensive business and public consultation on the exciting Tonypandy Town Centre Strategy.
Importantly, the work of the Tonypandy BID will be driven by the input of local businesses and organisations, following successful models already implemented by Your Pontypridd, Our Aberdare and Love Treorchy.
Both Pontypridd and Treorchy have secured UK-wide success in the Great British High Street Awards, winning the “Wales’ Best High Street” and “Best Independent UK High Street” categories respectively in recent years.
Proposals to develop a BID for Tonypandy were approved by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet in early July 2024, with approval secured from Welsh Government, via the Transforming Towns fund, to complete the process.
All eligible businesses and organisations were invited to have their say via a vote. Twenty five businesses voted, with 17 in favour and eight against. Of those who voted, 68% voted in favour of the BID.
A BID is an area where traders, linked to their business rates, pay into a levy that acts as a shared fund to be used for projects in the local town centre – while also drawing on other funding avenues to support this activity.
There are 14 BIDs in Wales, including the three mentioned above.
Tonypandy is an historic town centre with deep roots in the County Borough’s proud industrial legacy. While it faces its challenges, it has potential for a sustainable future with the right partnerships, support and investment.
Located alongside the Rhondda river and served by major roads and the main Valleys train line from Cardiff, it’s a place that could be enjoyed by those looking for a welcoming high street with a range of places to eat, drink, shop and relax.
The significant history and heritage of the area, as well as the stunning landscape in which it stands, with country parks, mountain walks and wildlife, is also a further draw to the town centre for visitors and residents.
Councillor Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity, said: “Business Improvement Districts bring local businesses together with the aim of improving retail areas and enhancing their sustainability.
“The power of their success is working together to identify opportunities and improvements – from improving bus services to organising events to bring people into the town. We have seen how effective they can be across the three BIDs currently operating within Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“Tonypandy has a growing and active Chamber of Trade that has ambitions for more financing and funding and a BID will help establish a model for that future investment, development and growth.
“We are pleased the process of developing a Tonypandy BID is now agreed
and we look forward to sharing with businesses, residents and visitors alike the next stages and news in this process.“This is an important time for Tonypandy as local businesses begin the creation of their BID and prepare for the significant final consultation on the Tonypandy Town Centre Strategy.”
A feasibility study for a Tonypandy BID took place in late 2023, with interviews across 56 businesses in the core retail area. In total, 68% of the participants believed the proposal should progress to the ballot stage, while 22% said they would be interested in taking on a leadership role in the BID. The businesses put forward suggestions for what a potential BID programme could focus on – from enhancing the CCTV provision to implementing a street warden service, lobbying of bus services, and expanding the town’s events programme.
Welsh Government has also recognised the positive contribution that BIDs can make to establishing vibrant town centres, and has invited funding applications to its Transforming Towns Fund for initial development stages. Any successful bid to the Transforming Towns Fund would require 25% match funding from the Council – this would be met using existing resources.
