European Funding Approved To Make Colwyn Bay A Must Visit Destination

Colwyn Bay will be transformed into a must-visit destination thanks to new funding for the Colwyn Bay Waterfront Project – that was the message from the First Minister as he visited the development. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The project will enable almost 1km of existing promenade to be transformed by Summer 2017. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The development will see the re-emergence of Colwyn Bay as a tourism and watersports destination for the North Wales coast, complementing the increasing reputation of North Wales as an adventure tourism destination. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

North Wales was recently named by the Lonely Planet as one of the best places to see in 2017 with special mention being made to the way the area has been reinvented and repurposed to create a series of truly world class attractions. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This latest development sees an investment of nearly £4 million including a contribution of nearly £2million from the European Regional Development Fund as part the wider Tourism Attractor Destination programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The First Minister had the opportunity to see the plans for the development and the progress made to date, the aim is for the work to be complete by Summer 2017. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The first phase of the development which competed in 2014 included the Porth Eirias Watersports Centre, the Bryn Williams@ Porth Eirias bistro and the new family beach, which has enjoyed a significant increase in visitors over the last two summer seasons. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The next phase will now enhance this offer by creating better access to the beach, improving parking provision, and incorporating new landscaping and a marked exercise trail. Areas for temporary concessions will also be created, with the construction of permanent concession building to follow. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The First Minister, said: “Colwyn Bay and nearby areas are already well-loved by locals and visitors alike, but this project could put rocket boosters on the local tourist industry. By focusing efforts and investment on key projects in each region we can have a real impact on Wales’ profile in this globally competitive market. With North Wales having a growing and global reputation for tourism, now is the right time to invest more in the area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The tourism industry is in good shape and has enjoyed two record breaking years with visitor numbers crossing the 10 million mark for the first time in 2014 and record spend from domestic and overseas visitors in 2015. In 2016 we’ve seen a 15% increase in the number of overseas visitors during the first six months of the year. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“North Wales’ fantastic recognition by the Lonely Planet is testimony to the commitment and partnership working between public and private sector to deliver a world class visitor experience.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Dave Cowans, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Environment and Sustainability said: “The Waterfront Project is a key part of the Baylife Regeneration programme and the town is already seeing the benefit of the work that took place in 2014. It was a pleasure to welcome the First Minister back to Colwyn Bay and to be able show him that work is underway on the next phase of transforming the Waterfront.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​