Renovation Of Pontypool Gateway Building Complete

A project to transform a key gateway building at the entrance to Pontypool has now been completed. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Number 37 Clarence Street, which is sited on the Clarence Corner roundabout on the main access road into Pontypool, had been unoccupied and boarded up for a number of years. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

However, the building has been given a new lease of life thanks to a joint project between Torfaen County Borough Council, Bron Afon Community Housing and the Welsh Government. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The project has created two new flats as well as completely refurbishing the exterior of the premises. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Alan Brunt, Chief Executive at Bron Afon Community Housing, said: “We are proud to have helped get this unused building back into use as two new homes. It is one of the first things you see as you come in to Pontypool from the busy A472 entrance. Now this refurbishment has made a big difference to the area as visitors enter the town. Four trainees from our Trade That Works had placements on the site and were able to get on-the-job experience that has helped them get into full time permanent employment.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Lewis Jones, executive member for regeneration at Torfaen council, said: “It is fantastic to see this building brought back into use. Its condition was poor and it had become a blight to the area, but now it offers more affordable housing in the town and the extra footfall will provide an additional boost to local traders.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Pontypool Investment Fund, which has enabled this project to go forward, has been funded by Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places Programme and will see £2.1m invested in a series of property conversion projects in Pontypool town centre. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​