The Vale of Glamorgan Council will soon begin a programme of engagement with residents, local businesses and community stakeholders to help shape the future use of the former Wilko superstore on Holton Road, Barry.
The Council purchased the prominent town centre building as part of its wider commitment to rejuvenating Barry and supporting thriving, sustainable high streets.
While some initial visual work was carried out under license to improve the appearance over the Christmas Period, more extensive works form part of the next stage of the process.
These works are now being carried out inside the building to ensure it is in good working order, and while that happens the Council will also be listening to the community to help determine how the site can best serve the town in the years ahead.
Engagement activities will include opportunities for people to share ideas, highlight local needs and outline their aspirations for the building and feedback gathered will play a key role in informing plans for future uses.
However, this will not be a one-off conversation. We want to maintain an ongoing dialogue with the community about the space, and we recognise that the future of the site is a living project that will continue to evolve in response to feedback, changing needs and new opportunities in Barry.
Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “This site in the heart of Barry has great potential to be a meaningful resource for the whole community, and we want its future to reflect the hopes and ambitions those who will use it.
“We want to talk to local people and act on any feedback we receive. We want to work with the community and communicate each next step clearly in this journey to revive the former Wilko building and the wider town centre in Barry.”
Residents will have until 27 March 2026 to contribute their ideas and they can do so in a number of ways, including a dedicated page on the Council’s Participate Vale website and via face-to-face sessions Barry Library on 13 March 2026 with additional dates to be announced shortly.
In the meantime, the Council continues to make positive interim use of the building, with updated artwork displays set to refresh the shopfront in the coming weeks as well as information on how members of the public can get involved in the upcoming consultation.
