A dramatic rise of 40 per cent in the number of empty business premises in Rhondda Cynon Taf has been revealed by Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood.
A Freedom of Information request by the Valleys-based Assembly Member showed that in April 2008 the number of empty properties, including shops, was 719. This had risen to 1,005 in March 2011.
Leanne Wood said: “This really brings home the impact of the recession and the mess created by those gambling bankers on communities in the Rhondda, Cynon Valley and Pontypridd areas.
“There are now almost 300 more empty shops, business premises and clubs than there was three years ago.
“Not only is there the loss of jobs and incomes and business rates caused by closures but also the impact of increasing numbers of properties lying empty in our town centres, giving an impression of decline.”
Figures obtained by Plaid Cymru earlier this year showed that some town centres in RCT are suffering significant falls in the number of people visiting them.
“Parking charges may have brought in to increase the income to the council. But wouldn’t it be counter-productive if it led to shoppers driving to out-of-town sites where they don’t have to pay for parking and that leads to the knock-on effect of businesses shutting down?”
Leanne Wood is a member of the National Assembly’s Business & Enterprise Committee which will be carrying out an inquiry into town centre regeneration during the autumn.
“The committee will be conducting a wide-ranging investigation which will look at the impact of out-of-town retail parks and supermarkets on our town centres. I’ve asked that we also look into the question of a parking levy on these major sites so there is a level playing field with our town centres.”
