Plan to transform tired indoor market building
CAERPHILLY Indoor Market has been purchased by the local council – and will be turned into offices and homes.
The plans are part of the council’s ambitious £50m Caerphilly 2035 programme which is set to transform the town centre over the next 15 years.
The strategy includes a boutique hotel, a leisure centre, a £30m station and a new visitor centre at the castle. Work has already begun on several projects.
The plans for the market will see the redevelopment of the entire building as well as adjoining properties in Pentrebane Street.
The privately owned buildings, which are “currently in somewhat poor condition” according to the council, will be transformed by Linc Cymru Housing Association with support from the council and the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme in order to provide new “carbon-zero homes and modern flexible workspace”.
Deputy council leader Councillor Jamie Pritchard said: “This is such an exciting scheme for Caerphilly and signals the start of a bold new future for the town.
“A key part of the process is to fully engage and work closely with the current market traders.
“We have met with traders to discuss their requirements going forward and we will do everything possible to accommodate their needs in terms of business support and relocation in Caerphilly.
“The current privately owned building is not fit for purpose so we want to explore opportunities for a much-improved market as part of our regeneration plans.
“I want to assure residents and the local business community that we will deliver this scheme in close cooperation with all interested parties to ensure that we deliver a scheme which is fit for purpose while complementing and enhancing the wider town centre.”
The Caerphilly 2035 regeneration programme will see a new £30m transport interchange in the heart of the town centre, a major £15m mixed retail and residential development, a new leisure quarter offering leisure, retail, commercial and business opportunities, the creation of a new boutique hotel development at the old Specsavers building, and a £5m investment in new visitor facilities at the castle.
The aim is to transform the town into a hub for tourism and trade within the space of a generation.
Proposals in the overall plan also include:
Electric bikes to establish the interchange as a green travel hub. In addition to a new walking and cycling path from Caerphilly Business Park to the town centre to promote active travel;
Cardiff Road’s street scene is to be enhanced and improvements to pedestrians’ experience with new seating areas and shop signs. The pavement will be widened and through-traffic will be discouraged by “natural traffic calming measures”;
better integration of Caerphilly Castle with the town centre by developing a leisure quarter overlooking the heritage site. The plans for the surrounding area of the castle will work alongside Cadw’s transformation of the castle – which is set to spend £5m on new visitor facilities;
Twyn Community Centre as a “headquarters” for creative arts and a new outdoor events pavilion could be located in the Twyn car park;
facilities for camping and caravans for Crescent Road playing fields – to be used during summer events. In addition to a new boutique hotel at Park Lane;
possible extension of Castle Court shopping centre to accommodate additional shops, and the restoration of Caerphilly Workmen’s hall; and
a residential development to the north of Morrisons car park – this would act as natural surveillance for the potential active travel route from Lansbury Park to the town centre.