The full membership of the Welsh Government’s Town Centre Taskforce has been announced today, as members come together for its inaugural meeting as the next phase of work begins.
The Town Centre Taskforce was established to provide practical, expert advice on the future of Wales’s town centres. Its co-Chairs, Professor Simon Gibson CBE and Tamsin Ramasut, were announced on 11 August.
The Taskforce brings together expertise from business, academia, local government, regeneration, planning, transport, housing and communities. Working with the co-Chairs, the members will consider the challenges and opportunities facing town centres across Wales and help develop practical, evidence-informed recommendations for Welsh Ministers.
The full membership can be viewed at www.gov.wales/town-centre-taskforce
Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Siân Gwenllian, said: “Our town centres are changing. They’re no longer just places to shop, but places where people live, work, access services and take part in community life. This Taskforce will look at how they can continue to evolve as diverse, mixed-use places that support businesses and communities.
“This work builds on action already under way, including permanent business rates support which, subject to Senedd approval, will give eligible hospitality and leisure businesses a 30% reduction in their rates bills from April 2027.
“I’m grateful to everyone giving their time and expertise. This Taskforce must be ambitious but practical, delivering real recommendations rather than restating the challenges so we can build vibrant, resilient town centres across Wales.”
Over the coming months, the Taskforce will carry out a focused programme of work to help inform recommendations that will be made to Welsh Ministers in the new year.
