 A dilapidated North Wales pier could soon be bringing thousands of visitors back to the region and help a seaside town avoid the worst of the recession it has been claimed.
Following lobbying by Clwyd West AM Darren Millar for cash for the Victoria Pier in Colwyn Bay, the Assembly Deputy Minister for Regeneration has confirmed in a letter to the AM that whilst ‘the Assembly Government has not traditionally supported the refurbishment of piers’ it will now consider the providing financial support to the pier under the North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Area programme ‘given its condition and central position in Colwyn Bay’s waterfront.’
The Victoria pier has dominated the Colwyn Bay seafront for over a century but decades of underinvestment and lack of maintenance by successive owners have taken their toll on what was once amongst the most elegant piers in Britain.
Darren Millar AM said, ‘I’m delighted that the Deputy Minister has responded positively to my request for support for renovation of the Victoria Pier.
‘In its heyday the pier attracted tens of thousands of visitors to North Wales every year and there is no reason why it shouldn’t be able to do so again.
‘Increasing numbers of people are ditching holidays overseas and deciding to stay in the UK due to the recession and the fall in the value of the pound. This presents Colwyn Bay with a real opportunity to buck the trend and prosper in spite of the current economic downturn.
‘Colwyn Bay is already home to the Welsh Mountain Zoo, a refurbished pier would be another attraction to help draw visitors to the town.’
He added, ‘The owner of the Victoria Pier must now grasp this opportunity work with the local authority and other partners to come forward with an ambitious plan for improving the pier and making it something that people of Colwyn Bay and North Wales can once again be proud of.’
Notes:-
Text of letter from Deputy Minister for Regeneration to Darren Millar AM below.
Dear Darren,
Thank you for your letter of 6th January enquiring whether piers (and specifically Colwyn Bay Pier) can be supported as part of the funding package available under the North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Area programme.
The Assembly Government has not traditionally supported the refurbishment of piers but in theory can do so. Given its condition and its central position on Colwyn Bay's waterfront, a viable and comprehensive improvement proposition for Colwyn Bay's pier could be considered for financial support.
I would stress however, that any refurbishment project of this nature would need to be led by a credible individual or partnership backed by a comprehensive business plan that demonstrates clear regeneration benefits. Unless this could be clearly demonstrated, funding is unlikely to be forthcoming.
Yours sincerely
Leighton Andrews AM
Deputy Minister for Regeneration
2nd February 2009 | 
