Cwmbran 'In Shops' to close: Relocation promise by centre
Planners have given permission for the change of use of the ground floor indoor market, in Monmouth Square, at the southern end of the town centre to allow it to be used as 'Flip Out' that could include trampolining, soft play, inflatables and ninja tag among other activities. Flip Out is expected to create up to 40 full and part-time jobs and there will also be a cafe on site and the whole building now has D2 planning permission that covers leisure uses.
Torfaen Borough Council's planning department received eight objections to the change of use application and 18 supportive comments. It was claimed existing traders cannot afford to move to other parts of the centre 'due to extortionate rents and rates' and there was also complaints at a lack of consultation with market traders.
An objection also said the centre, which is now officially known as M Cwmbran, would be left with 'only coffee shops and places to eat' if the market closed.
Shopping centre owners L&C Investments, which made the application, said it intends permanently closing the loss making market, which is commonly known by its former name 'In Shops', regardless of the outcome of the planning application.
A statement provided to the council said: 'Rising electricity costs, labour and services costs coupled with a steady decline in occupiers has led to sustained financial loss since the applicant attempted to rescue the market from closing previously in 2022.
'The outcome of this change of use application aside, the applicant has reached the decision that the indoor market can no longer be operated and must therefore close permanently.'
A report by council planning officer Simon Pritchard, which approved the change of use application, said the fate of the market is out of the hands of the planning department.
He stated: 'Whilst the comments received are fully appreciated, this is a commercial decision and the loss of the indoor space, can not be controlled by the local planning authority.'
The report also stated how L&C Investments has said it will support traders and other new businesses.
A statement from the firm said: 'We remain committed to providing high quality incubation space for our local start up business community and are working hard to deliver a series of new opportunities within Cwmbran. These will include additional exterior sheltered pitches from which traders can directly access the high levels of footfall around town.
'Future plans will also include the reprovision of a smaller higher quality indoor space offering flexible opportunities to local traders. LCP, part of M Core, will work closely with the remaining occupiers currently within the market space to provide relocation opportunities in more commercially viable areas of the town.'
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