Bargoed looks set to celebrate the news that supermarket giant Morrisons is to create a new 55,000 square foot flagship store in the town centre.
Caerphilly county borough council has worked hard over recent years with developers Simons to secure a big name supermarket to anchor a major retail development in the town. The council’s cabinet is due to consider a series of decisions that it needs to make for the development to go ahead at its meeting this week (Thursday 25th February).
Cllr Ron Davies, CCBC cabinet member for regeneration, said, “This is fantastic news and I’m sure the whole community will join us in welcoming the announcement. Bargoed is a key strategic town centre with a proud history and we want to re-position it as a major valleys shopping destination. Many people have worked tirelessly to bring about these improvements, especially the local members, so I’d like to thank everyone involved and look forward to seeing this exciting scheme get off the ground.”
Simons Developments Ltd is the ‘preferred developer’ that has been working with the council to secure a major supermarket for the site. Lengthy negotiations have been taking place over recent months with Morrisons to agree terms and ensure that the best outcome is achieved for Bargoed’s regeneration.
A spokesman for Morrisons said, “We appreciate all the hard work and commitment that the council and WAG have put in to making the retail plateau development at Bargoed possible. Now that we have our Board Approval in place we look forward to working with CCBC, WAG and Simons Developments to help deliver this important project”.
Leader of council, Cllr Lindsay Whittle, said, “The announcement, together with commitments from the council and the Welsh Assembly Government, will mean that the missing piece of the jigsaw for Bargoed’s regeneration is in place, although the development is still subject to planning permission, a formal legal agreement with the council and finalising the funding arrangements.”
Major preparatory works have already been carried out at the site and a number of properties have been demolished to create an impressive development plateau for the scheme. The multi-million pound development will boost the local economy, create hundreds of new jobs and breathe new life into Bargoed town centre.
As the main supermarket development, the exciting proposal also includes new retail outlets, attractive public spaces and over 400 car parking spaces.
For further information, please visit the Bargoed’s Big Idea website.
