Colwyn Bay locals and tourists give views on 'masterplan'

Sep 2 2010 by Rayyan Parry, North Wales Weekly News

IDEAS proposed for the recently unveiled Colwyn Bay redevelopment ‘masterplan’ include a pedestrianised square, cafe culture, smaller railway station and link bridge over the A55, an iconic central building, a multi-sports village and a shopping centre revamp. Our reporter RAYYAN SABET-PARRY went into the streets of Colwyn Bay to find out what locals and tourists think of the ‘masterplan’

IT looked very grandiose. I would’ve thought the improvements we presently have are quite sufficient, in Penrhyn and Station Road with groundworks.

The sea defences definitely need to be looked at. Whether we need such a grandiose plan, I don't know. What purpose is it likely to serve? That’s my concern. What are they trying to do? Generate more interest in the town as a resort perhaps? Because I think that’s a wasted effort, those days are gone.

Apart from that, it’ll look very nice to look pretty.

Kelvin Brown, 62, Colwyn Bay.

THE leisure centre in Eirias Park is something we use anyway and if that will be improved and upgraded that’ll be fantastic. I’d be interested to know how much of Eirias Park they’ll need to do that, because obviously the park is not just for leisure, it’s used for people to walk their dogs and for kids during summer.

Anything they can do to improve pedestrianised areas, get better shops and boost revenue and attract tourism in the town will be great for the area.

If we go shopping anywhere, we tend to go to Llandudno. Unfortunately, it’s a distance to travel from here. Anything they can do to improve that will be great for the residents.

The cafe culture would be brilliant. We went out to Liverpool last week. They’ve got plenty of cafes and restaurants in pedestrianised areas. If they can bring that here that would be wicked.

Marcus Jenkins, 31, Colwyn Bay

THE iconic building is going to be an awful waste of money, it’ll be ghastly. I do think we need to preserve buildings that we’ve got.

The whole business of opening the seashore to the town is important. I think it’s more important to get people into the town initially and then go for the beach. I thought that for years.

When the A55 came through there was a huge decline of business because it did cut the town in half. I’m hopeful that the masterplan will bring a benefit.

John Tenby, 65, Colwyn Bay

COLWYN Bay does need to be uplifted.

Many shops are closed and there’s nothing for the children. I think it’ll bring more people here.

That’ll be a good idea if they pedestrianise the station, because it’s dangerous – when you come off the train, cars don’t know which way to go.

Eirias Park would be good. I’ve got a seven-year-old and there’s nothing here for him at all, you’ve got to go out of town.

I’d put money into Colwyn Bay rather than Rhyl or Llandudno. I was born here so it would be a brilliant thing to do if it happens.

Susan Moores, 63, Colwyn Bay

THE bridge connecting the beach to the town would be fantastic.

The cafe culture – people like that. We visit twice or three times a year, probably more.

Colwyn Bay needs a revamp, like anywhere it gets run down over the years, people start abusing it. This can definitely bring more people in.

Colwyn Bay has a lovely beach and a lot of people come here for it.

Christine Lynch, 57, Merseyside

IT looks really good. I like the idea of the bridge a lot. A lot of people come in and ask for directions, I think it’ll really help.

The Eirias Park sports centre will stop people sitting on the benches and making a lot of nuisance of themselves.

The cafe culture would be really good, there’s nothing like that at the moment.

Everyone always says Colwyn Bay used to be where you’d come for the shops. Now people are going to Llandudno more and more, so I think you need to turn that around really.

Jemima Leathwood-Hill, 18, Colwyn Bay

IT’S a really clever idea. I think it’ll bring more people into Colwyn Bay.

I think the sports centre is a good idea it will increase participation with younger people as well. I think there definitely needs to be more stuff for young people. There just doesn’t seem to be much about, especially when I was growing up.

I think the cafe culture will make it look nice, it might make it look more sophisticated and less shabby.

Colwyn Bay needs a revamp, definitely. It used to be good for shops, now there’s not much else about, if you look, half of the shops are closed down, which isn’t good.

Abigail Hughes, 21, Colwyn Bay