Neath’s new multi-storey car park is officially open

Neath’s new multi-storey car park is officially open (from 1^st October 2015), in time to welcome visitors to the popular Neath Food and Drink Festival.

Contractor Kier started on site in July 2014 to build the 600 space car park, together with a 24,000 sqft retail unit, now the new home for Wilko.

The new car park is user friendly with wider parking bays and energy efficient lighting. It also has achieved the ‘Park Mark’ status, awarded to parking facilities that have reached the standards of the Safer Parking Scheme.

Investing in town centres and supporting local businesses is one of the Council’s priorities for improvement, and the vision for Neath is to create an attractive, vibrant and competitive town that meets the needs of businesses, shoppers and visitors, whilst retaining its market town character.

Over the last few years Neath town centre has seen multi-million pound investment projects to support regeneration, job creation and economic growth funded from a number of sources including the European Regional Development Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Cadw and the Welsh Government Regeneration Area Programme.

They include the refurbishment of the Gwyn Hall and the restoration of Victoria Gardens and a number of street scene and environmental improvements at the Parade, Church Place and Stockhams Corner.

Neath is a popular shopping destination and benefits from a loyal and wide catchment area. The relatively low vacancy rate of 7% in Neath compared to the national average of 15% is testament to the Council’s policy of strategic investment in the town centre.

The Council also continues to support events and initiatives aimed at increasing trade and footfall such as the popular Neath September Fair, the Real Ale and Cider Festival and the annual Neath Food and Drink Festival,  which are attracting more and more visitors into Neath each year.

Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr. Ali Thomas OBE said: “Neath is a great town and retains a market town feel.

“With this latest development we aim to ensure that it remains a vibrant and attractive place to visit for many generations to come.”

Sally Rowlands, Chair of the Neath Town Centre Consortium added:” This is great news for Neath – the 600 new car parking spaces will be a huge asset, making visiting and shopping in Neath much easier and helping to increase footfall in the town centre.

“Also, being open in time for the Food and Drink Festival this weekend will help to make our 7^th annual Festival the most successful yet.”

*featured Image:

Cllr. Mark Protheroe; Sally Rowlands, Chair Neath Town Centre Consortium; Cllr Ali Thomas OBE, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council; Cllr. Alan Lockyear; Cllr. Peter Rees, Deputy Leader Neath Port Talbot Council; Andy Lodwig, President, Neath Chamber of Trade

*bottom Image

Cllr. Mark Protheroe; Cllr. Alan Lockyear; Cllr. Peter Rees, Deputy Leader Neath Port Talbot Council; Sally Rowlands, Chair Neath Town Centre Consortium; Cllr Ali Thomas OBE, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council; Andy Lodwig, President, Neath Chamber of Trade; Gareth Nutt, NPTCBC Director of Environment