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P P BRIDGEND County Borough Council

RETAILING AND COMMERCIAL CENTRES

IN

BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH 2006

PLANNING DEPARTMENT BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL CIVIC OFFICES ANGEL STREET BRIDGEND CF31 4WB Telephone: 01656 643165 RETAILING AND COMMERCIAL CENTRES IN BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH

2006

CONTENTS PAGE

1. Retailing in Bridgend County Borough 2006 ………………………2

2. Town Centre Health Checks in Bridgend County Borough…………..4

3. Bridgend Town Centre Health Check 2006 ……………………….6

4. Porthcawl Town Centre 2006 ……………………..……………22

5. Maesteg Town Centre 2006 ………………………………...... 26

6. Bridgend County Borough Retail Survey - October 2006 ……………30

PLANNING DEPARTMENT - BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL CIVIC OFFICES, ANGEL STREET, BRIDGEND, CF31 4WB Tel. 01656 643165 www.bridgend.gov.uk

- 1 - 1. RETAILING IN BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH 2006

1.1 INTRODUCTION

1.1.1 The protection and enhancement of the viability, attractiveness and vitality of the town and district centres in the County Borough is one of the key objectives of the Bridgend Unitary Development Plan (UDP) which was adopted by the Council on the 12th May 2005. To ensure this however, an effective monitoring programme is in place to examine how the Established Commercial Centres (ECCs) of the County Borough are performing on an annual basis.

1.1.2 Town, district and local centres can provide a broad range of facilities and serve as a focus for the community and public transport. They have a range of functions including: market places, business centres and meeting places, as well as providing educational, health, fitness, arts, cultural and entertainment facilities.

1.1.3 Their continuing health depends on them being able to draw enough people to spend time and money in the centre. However, growing competition between centres and the impact of large-scale out-of- centre developments can have a detrimental impact on the function of the centre, calling into question their future economic viability.

1.2 TOWN CENTRE HEALTH CHECKS

1.2.1 This is the ninth consecutive year in which a Health Check has been carried out for Bridgend town centre. The Health Checks are a vital component in assessing the effectiveness of the regeneration of these towns and the vitality, viability and attractiveness of their respective town centres. For the last four years, Health Checks have also been carried out for Maesteg and Porthcawl town centres, however, due to a lack of appropriate information in the form of statistics relating to rental values, crime, accessibility and pedestrian flow; a more general analysis only has been carried out to monitor trends within these town centres during 2006.

1.2.2 The Health Checks (introduced in section 2) draw upon a variety of data from different sources to assess against various 'indicators' as suggested by Central Government. Conducted on a regular basis, the quality and attractiveness of all three town centres can be assessed and, where necessary, compared to other centres outside the County Borough, national statistics and trends.

1.3 ESTABLISHED COMMERCIAL CENTRE SURVEY

1.3.1 There are thirteen Established Commercial Centres (ECCs) within Bridgend County Borough as defined in the adopted Bridgend Unitary Development Plan (UDP). These are within the settlements of: Aberkenfig, Blaengarw, Brackla, Caerau, Nantyffyllon, Nantymoel, Ogmore Vale, Pencoed, Pontycymmer and Pyle/Kenfig Hill, as well as the town centres of Bridgend, Maesteg and Porthcawl.

- 2 - 1.3.2 There are well over 1,850 individual properties within the ECCs of the County Borough, and by monitoring their occupancy both the vitality and viability of those Centres and the effectiveness of Development Plan policies can be assessed. By use of the Council's Geographical Information System (GIS) this data has been plotted onto an Ordnance Survey base, giving an effective visual tool of the performance of the ECCs over time. This data (along with the Health Checks) will be particularly useful to Planning Consultants in the course of their submissions of major retail planning applications, and will also aid the Local Planning Authority in its decisions on smaller scale retail developments and regeneration initiatives.

1.3.3 It is envisaged that the use of this data will enable the Local Planning Authority to effectively review the Unitary Development Plan policies when they are evaluated and updated in the new Local Development Plan (LDP) for Bridgend County Borough. The Bridgend LDP Delivery Agreement was published in November 2006. This annual survey will be able to identify areas where retailing activity has been permanently lost (i.e. through the demolition or change-of-use of former retail units) and therefore where perhaps the boundary of the ECC needs to be amended to exclude these areas in the next review of the Development Plan. Alternatively, additional buildings and/or land may be identified which could accommodate new retail / leisure uses.

1.3.4 In Section 6, the data for each ECC is given in alphabetical order by centre, immediately followed by a plan of each centre showing property occupiers.

- 3 - 2. TOWN CENTRE HEALTH CHECKS IN BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH

2.1 PLANNING POLICY BASIS OF TOWN CENTRE HEALTH CHECKS

2.1.1 It is an objective of both the Welsh Assembly Government and Bridgend County Borough Council (through the Unitary Development Plan and other regeneration activities), that the vitality, viability and attractiveness of town, district, local and village centres are enhanced. This position was reinforced in 2005, with the publication of a Ministerial Interim Planning Policy Statement (MIPPS) on Planning for Retailing and Town Centres. The MIPPS confirmed the Government’s commitment to focusing retail, commercial and leisure developments on town and, at an appropriate scale, district centres.

2.1.2 Planning Policy Wales 2002 (paragraph 10.1.3 as amended by the MIPPS) defines vitality, viability and attractiveness as follows:

"Vitality is reflected in how busy a centre is at different times and in different parts, attractiveness in the facilities and character which draw in trade. Viability, on the other hand, refers to the ability of the centre to attract investment, not only to maintain the fabric, but also to allow for improvement and adaptation to changing needs".

2.1.3 Technical Advice Note (Wales) Number 4: Retailing and Town Centres (1996) expands on this concept by giving advice on the kinds of indicators which can be used to assess the vitality, viability and attractiveness of town centres; these are reproduced in Figure 1 below. Collectively compiled and analysed, this data can be used to assess the performance of the town centre on a regular basis.

2.1.4 Some of the information suggested will not be available. In other circumstances data may be available, but its purchase may not be cost-effective to the Council. However, retail information submitted to support relevant planning applications will be used as a substitute for this.

2.1.5 Town centre Health Checks were initiated in Bridgend by the former Bridgend Town Centre Regeneration Sub-Committee in May 1998, and have been undertaken annually ever since.

2.1.6 Whilst full Health Checks have been undertaken in Maesteg and Porthcawl since 2002, it has become increasingly difficult to obtain reliable and consistent data for these centres. Given this situation, for 2006, a summary only of activity in these town centres has been given.

- 4 - Information for Measuring Vitality, Viability and Attractiveness

Turnover in relation to floorspace: turnover figures vary greatly and can be of assistance as an indication of the relative activity of different shopping areas and centres.

Commercial yield on non-domestic property: (i.e. the capital value in relation to the expected market rental) may be of assistance in demonstrating the confidence of investors in the long-term profitability of the centre.

Shopping rents: pattern of movement in primary shopping area rents (i.e. the frontage which attracts the highest rental value);

Retailer representation and change: present representation and demand from the retailers wanting to come into the town, or to change their representation in the town, or to contract or close their representation.

The diversity of uses: how much space is in use for different functions, such as: offices; shopping; other commercial; cultural and entertainment activities; restaurants; hotels; educational uses; housing, and how that balance has been changing;

Accessibility: the ease and convenience of access by a choice of means of travel, including the quality, quantity and type of car parking, the availability of public transport services and the quality of provision for pedestrians and cyclists;

Pedestrian flow: the numbers and movement of people on the streets, in different parts of the centre at different times of the day and evening, and changes over time;

The proportion of vacant street level property: vacancies can arise even in the strongest town centres, and this indicator must be used with care;

Customer views: regular surveys of customer views will assist authorities in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of town centre improvements and of town centre management;

Environmental quality: this should include information on air quality, noise, trees, landscaping, open spaces, litter and graffiti;

Perception of safety/occurrence of crime: this should include information on safety and security.

Figure 1 Suggested Town Centre Indicators

Source: Technical Advice Note (Wales) Number 4: Retailing and Town Centres

- 5 - 3. BRIDGEND TOWN CENTRE HEALTH CHECK 2006

3.1 INTRODUCTION

3.1.1 Bridgend’s health check for 2005 indicated a successful year for the town centre overall. In 2006 retail rents continued to rise overall and property investment yields continued to fall. In addition to this, as anticipated by the 2005 health check, the redevelopment of some key town centre sites has led to a fall in vacancy rates.

3.1.2 Accessibility to the town further increased, with the bus station winning a national award and the commencement of Phase IV of the regeneration programme, environmental improvements and additional funding promised a more attractive townscape securing further investment into Bridgend.

3.2 RETAIL AND OFFICE FLOORSPACE RENTAL VALUES AND INVESTMENT YIELD

Primary Retail Rents

3.2.1 Nationally, UK town centre rental values have risen by 3.4%, a reduction in growth when compared to last year’s rise of 4%. This trend is also clear in Wales with prime retail rents increasing by only 2% in comparison to 5.4% between 2004/05. Even though Bridgend’s retail rent has remained the same this year, it still remains at a competitive eighth position of the best primary retail rents in Wales.

3.2.2 Primary retail rents remain the same as last year at £70 per square foot (see figure 2 overleaf). Although in two years previous to this there has been a steady rise, these figures represent the general regional trend with only 8 out the 28 town centres in Wales witnessing a rise. For example, Cardiff, where rental values had steadily increased since 2001, has seen no rise since 2005, and this situation is the same for Carmarthen, Caerphilly, Swansea and Newport.

Secondary Retail Rents

3.2.3 Obtained from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), the secondary retail rental value for Bridgend was £48 per square foot in 2006. This is an improvement on last years figure of £42 per square foot, and is consistent with regional trends throughout Wales as demonstrated in Figure 2.

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300

250 Bridgend Neath 200 Carmarthen t f Pontypridd sq

r 150 Llanelli e Merthyr Tydfil £ p 100 Newport Swansea Cardiff 50

0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Year

Figure 2 Primary Retail Rental Values Source: Colliers CRE

120

100 Bridgend

t 80 Carmarthen f Merthyr Tydfil

r sq 60 e Newport

£ p 40 Swansea

20 Cardiff

0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Year

Figure 3 Secondary Retail Rental Values Souce: Valuation Office Agency

- 7 - Retail Yield

3.2.4 2006 witnessed another successful year in terms of increasing investor confidence in the region with 7 out of the 9 major centres in South Wales’ experiencing falling retail yields. Bridgend saw its fourth consecutive fall in four years to 7% alongside Neath, Pontypridd, and Merthyr. Most notably, Newport and Cardiff, witnessed a fall for the first time since 2000 (see figure 4 below).

10 9 Cardiff 8 Carmarthen 7 6 Merthyr Tydfil £ per 5 Bridgend sq ft 4 Pontypridd 3 Swansea 2 Neath 1 0 Llanelli 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Newport Year

Figure 4 Retail Yields Source: VOA

Office Rents

3.2.6 Primary office rental values in Bridgend town centre have risen for the first time in four years to £15 per sq ft. Although rental values remained steady in 2005 along with others such as Swansea and Cardiff, the rise in 2006 has taken figures back to equal that of Newport.

3.2.7 Overall figures continue, once again, to remain buoyant in the town centre and the rise in office rents in 2006 can be attributed to the completed refurbishment of 5 – 7 Court Road. This development has increased the appeal of the town centre for commercial business claiming back some of the business taken away by the high profile out- of-town developments, such as Bocam Park at Junction 35 of the M4. This is further opportunity to develop currently under utilised floorspace such as in the Ravenscourt development.

- 8 - 20 18 16 14 Bridgend 12 Cardiff 10 8 Swansea 6 Newport 4 2 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Year

3.2.8 Figure 5 Office Rents Source: Cooke and Arkwright

3.3 RETAILER REPRESENTATION, CHANGE AND DIVERSITY OF USES

3.3.1 The Bridgend County Borough Retail Survey – October 2006 results for Bridgend town centre are displayed in table 1 overleaf (see also Section 6 of this report for more data plus distribution maps). The table shows that convenience goods retailers in the centre have remained steady for the fifth consecutive year. The results for comparison goods show an overall decrease in the town centre which can be explained by the reclassification of many units and properties becoming vacant.

3.3.2 As in 2005, there has again been a sharp increase in the number of service properties. Again reclassification which resulted in a fall in comparison goods retailers has caused a rise in service retailers. There has also been a marked increase in the number of professional services, such as a new dental care operator and photographic store that have opened up on Derwen Road and a new training facility that has opened on Market Street.

3.3.3 Following a number of changes in 2005, the 2006 retail survey did not show many major changes to the retail profile of the town centre except for the closure of McDonalds on Nolton Street which currently remains vacant. As previously anticipated in last years health check, the reserved matters planning application for the Asda development has now been determined with construction due to commence during 2007 with completion envisaged for Easter 2008.

3.3.4 Following a successful year in 2005 with a major drop in the number of vacant units in comparison to previous years, 2006 has seen a small rise in the number vacancies within the town centre. There are a number of regeneration schemes currently being carried out within the town centre which has resulted in some shops having to vacate in

- 9 - order to accommodate the works necessary. Although the projects might temporarily cause disruptions within the centre, it is envisaged that they will result in improving the retail centre, attract new businesses, and improve the vitality and viability of the town centre as a whole.

Convenience Goods 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Bakers & Confectioners 5 5 5 5 5 Butchers & Poulterers 1 1 1 1 1 Grocery 5 5 5 5 5 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 2 2 2 2 2 Total 13 13 13 13 13

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 6 6 5 5 5 Mens and Boys Wear 4 4 4 6 6 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 26 27 27 30 29 Furniture, carpets & textiles 13 13 13 12 10 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 9 10 11 9 9 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 20 21 21 21 19 DIY, hardware & housewares 6 5 4 4 3 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 6 8 5 5 3 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 1 1 1 2 2 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 13 13 14 14 15 Variety, department & catalogue 7 7 7 7 7 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 3 2 2 3 2 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 9 9 10 9 8 Jewellers & repair 9 8 7 8 8 Other 13 14 14 14 9 Total 145 148 145 149 135

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 36 38 38 39 39 Pub / Club 18 19 19 18 19 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 20 21 21 25 24 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 1 1 1 1 1 Travel Agents 7 7 7 7 7 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 25 26 25 24 22 Estate Agents and Valuers 13 12 11 11 11 Professional Services 13 18 16 35 40 Other 23 18 26 26 30 Total 156 160 164 186 193

Total comparison / convenience / service 314 321 322 348 341

Vacant units 57 53 58 42 44 Vacant units (% of total) 12.20 11.35 12.45 8.86 9.19 Vacant units (% of commercial units) 15.36 14.17 15.26 10.77 11.43 Residential properties 60 60 60 59 60 Total other properties 36 33 26 35 87

TOTAL 467 467 466 484 532 Table 1 Retail and Service Provision- Source: Bridgend CBC

3.3.5 Table 2 below displays the number of outlets in the town centre in relation to their size. As stated in past Health Checks, the supply of

- 10 - larger units continues to frustrate the easy development of large national multiple retailers. It is envisaged that more, larger units can be provided on several of the key redevelopment sites in the centre.

3.3.6 However, the abundance of small units does provide opportunities for start-up, indigenous retailers to get a foot-hold in the retail market. These will tend to be more specialist businesses, helping the town centre to maintain its own character and to stave-off the ‘clone town’ image, which many centres of comparable size to Bridgend have been subject to.

Ground Floor Size of Property Number % Under 1,000 sq ft. 233 49.36 Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 152 32.20 Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 52 11.02 Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 22 4.66 Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 9 1.91 Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 3 0.64 Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 1 0.21 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00 Total 472 100 Table 2 Property Size Distribution

Source: Bridgend CBC

Bridgend Market

Convenience No. of Units Butchers, Poulterers and Fishmongers 8 Grocery 1 Off Licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 3 Total 12

Comparison Footwear and Repair 1 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 2 Furniture, Carpets and Textiles 2 Booksellers, Arts, Crafts, Stationers, Copy Bureaux 0 Electrical, Gas, Music & Photographic 1 China, Glass, Fancy and Leather Goods 3 Florists, Nurserymen and Seedsmen 1 Variety, Department and Catalogue 0 Toy, Hobby, Cycle and Sports 2 DIY, Hardware & Housewares 2 Jewellers and Repair 3 Total 17

Service Restaurants, Coffee Bars, Fast Food and Takeaways 5 Hairdressers, Beauty Parlours and Health Centres 1 Total 6

Vacant 1

Table 3 Retail Provision in Bridgend Market – 2005

Source: Bridgend CBC

- 11 - 3.3.7 Once again Bridgend’s Indoor Market has also been surveyed in addition to the main retail survey (see table 3 above) to allow for a comparison with other years as to the contribution that it makes to the supply of goods and services to town centre users. 3.3.8 The market continues to expand its offer with it now contributing 12 convenience units, 17 comparison units and 6 service units to the town centre. Each year the market is recognised for the extended variety that it offers to shoppers and retailers which could not be accommodated within the town centre.

3.4 PEDESTRIAN FLOW

3.4.1 A key element of a centres vitality and viability is related to the general ‘liveliness’ of a town. In order to effectively monitor this, cameras have been installed within the town centre and in the Rhiw Centre to monitor its patronage on an annual basis.

Figure 6 Rhiw Centre automated footfall data Source: Rhiw Centre Management c/o Springboard

Figure 7 Bridgend Town Centre automated footfall data Source: Rhiw Centre Management c/o Springboard

- 12 -

3.4.2 Figures 6 and 7 above show an easily identifiable pattern. The figures show an increase in the footfall figures in the Rhiw centre in 2006 when compared with 2005. However the overall footfall in the town centre throughout the year was below that of 2005, this could be partially due to public realm improvement schemes taking place in Queen Street and Market Street. Also, when set in the context across town and city centres, Bridgend’s decreases in footfall are less than experienced elsewhere. Fluctuations of this kind could be attributed to trends including rising fuel costs, fears over personal consumer debt, slight rises in unemployment, increases in interest rates, the summer 2006 heat wave and even a slump associated with the World Cup 2006 in Germany.

3.4.3 Other rises throughout the year can be attributed to events that have been organised within the town centre. For example rises occur in March due to the parade of the Celts, in April with the annual visit from the continental market and the French Market in November. Events such as these act as significant attractions for the town centre from both inside and outside the locality and result in a marked increase in the footfall figures. They also add to the vitality and viability of the centre, increasing trade for retailers and engaging communities in cultural activities.

3.5 ACCESSIBILITY

3.5.1 In 2005 the Vale of Glamorgan railway line was re-opened creating hourly connections with Cardiff, Barry, Llantwit Major and Rhoose. It also meets with a bus service from Rhoose which provides a connection with Cardiff airport. Last years study recognised the importance of this link in economic terms with increased accessibility to the Vale of Glamorgan and the South East.

3.5.2 Playing a continuingly important role in the town centre regeneration is Bridgend’s award winning bus station. The £2.3 million scheme provides for services throughout the Borough, and to Llantwit Major, Pontypridd, Swansea, Aberdare, Talbot Green, Cardiff and Cardiff International Airport.

3.5.6 Bridgend Council continues to operate the ‘Shopmobilty’ scheme to the town centre which is a service that lends scooters and powered and manual wheelchairs to anyone who has temporary or permanent walking difficulties. Located in the Rhiw car park, only 500 metres from the bus station and 300 meters from the train station, the service provides the less mobile with a more pleasurable shopping experience in the town.

3.5.7 In addition to the above, the walkway, connecting the car park to the Rhiw Centre benefited from a £100,000 investment between January and April 2006. The improvements are illustrated below in figure 8. In addition, three new cycle racks have been fitted in the town centre and a safe routes to school programme aims to promote healthier, more environmentally friendly modes of transport to the town centre.

- 13 -

Figure 8 Rhiw Centre Walkway

Credit: Bridgend CBC

3.6 PERCEPTION OF SAFETY / OCCURRENCE OF CRIME

3.6.1 Public order offences data has been supplied by South Wales Police regarding incidences which occur specifically in Bridgend town centre. It should be stressed that this data refers only to occurrences of crime reported to the police and will not necessarily reflect the total number of incidences.

3.6.2 In total, there were 469 public order offences reported in Bridgend town centre during 2006 (see figure 9 below). Generally, the overall figures indicate a drop in public order offences since 2005, most clearly demonstrated in the number of violent order offences from 128 to 109. According to the British Crime Survey, this was the regional trend with crime peaking in 2005 and dropping by 44% in 2006.

3.6.3 In relation to the general location of crime, Figure 10 below indicates that most offences, like last year, occur in the Derwen Road and Wyndham Street areas of the town centre. These streets are associated with a high density of pubs, bars, nightclubs and takeaways and therefore, much of the criminal activities can be associated with the night time economy and can explain some of the rises in the public order offences mentioned above.

- 14 - 600

500

400

300

200

100

0 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Figure 9 Total Incidents of Public Order Offences in Bridgend Town Centre Source: South Wales Police

200 180 s Market Street

nt 160

de 140 Derwen Road i c 120 n Wyndham Street I 100 Dunraven Place of

r 80 e

b 60 Caroline Street

m 40

u Queen Street

N 20 The Rhiw 0 Brackla Street 8 9 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 Adare Street Year

Figure 10 Public Order Offence Incidents by Location Source: South Wales Police

3.7 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

3.7.1 The general improvement in the appearance of the town centre has continued during 2006 with the implementation of several schemes.

3.7.2 The Physical Regeneration Fund bid of £800,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government in 2004, has enabled the completion on part of Phase IV of the regeneration programme within Queen Street and Dunraven Place in August 2006 (see pictures below). Secondly, works commenced in September 2006 on the public realm improvements on Market Street between Dunraven Place and Quarella Road, which will include a new public square area in front of the existing job centre premises (see artists impression below). Works are scheduled to be completed in June 2007 using funding in the order of £1 million secured from the Welsh Assembly Government Physical Regeneration Fund. Finally, in August 2005, Bridgend County Borough Council

- 15 - secured £5.3 million grant from European Regional Development Fund and Welsh Assembly Government Local Regeneration Fund. This will fund the implementation of a series of projects to 2008 including upgrading street furniture; safety and security measures; and the construction of a Town Centre River Walkway.

3.7.3 Construction contracts were awarded in 2006 to undertake comprehensive public realm improvements in

Figure 11 Public Realm Improvements to Queen Street (Before, During & After)

Credit: Bridgend CBC

Brackla Street, Nolton Street and Cheapside which will improve the physical and economic linkages between new retail developments at Cheapside and the existing core of the Town Centre (see artists’ impressions below). Works are scheduled for completion in Spring 2008.

Figure 12 Planned Public Realm Improvements to Market Street

- 16 -

Figure 13 Planned Public Realm Improvements to Brackla Street

Credit: Bridgend CBC

3.7.4 Following a successful funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, a Townscape Heritage Initiative was designated in the Town Centre attracting funding of £910,000 for conservation-led regeneration projects in Dunraven Place, Queen Street and parts of Market Place, Wyndham Street and Caroline Street. A number of schemes commenced works on site in 2006 in Dunraven Place (see pictures below). Further schemes have progressed to varying stages of implementation, planning approval and feasibility which will be reported in the 2007 Health Check. In addition, Bridgend County Borough Council and the Welsh Assembly Government continue to operate a Town Improvement Grant programme in Bridgend town centre to undertake building improvement projects.

Figure 14 Building Restoration Works at Dunraven Place, Bridgend THI

Credit: Bridgend CBC

3.7.5 In addition to previous year’s environmental assessments, an audit in the form of an environmental matrix has been carried out this year to get a clearer perception of the streetscape from the view of the everyday user. Figure 15 overleaf illustrates the findings from the audit and it is envisaged that this will assist the council in identifying key issues to be addressed within the town centre and that the improvements will be illustrated within the matrix on a yearly basis.

- 17 - 3.7.6 The general appearance of the town centre was found to be average. With the exception of Adare Street and Dunraven Place, which have recently been subject to public realm improvements, the first impression of the town centre is not of a high quality. When looking at a town centre/streetscape, ones attention is focussed initially upon the buildings. From looking at the environmental matrix this link becomes clear with the condition of the buildings directly influencing the appearance of the street scene.

3.7.7 When focus is concentrated on the detail in the centre, perceptions seem to improve. For example, street and building signage are of a high quality, there are very few vacant properties; general cleanliness is of a high standard with little to no graffiti or fly posting.

3.7.8 Dunraven Place scored highest due to the public realm improvements that took place in 2006 with a public square area incorporating new paving and street furniture.

3.7.9 It was recognised in the audit that there was very little street planting throughout the town centre which could have a positive impact on the appearance. However, past planting schemes have encountered difficulty with many of the flower pots being vandalised, and tree planting made difficult by the amount of underground services preventing the roots from growing.

3.7.10 The street that scored most poorly was Nolton Street. Although the street itself is better than Market Street in retail offer, the street is narrow with a heavy amount of traffic which has caused it to become less clean, with little opportunity for public realm improvements. The narrow walkways and increased traffic also heighten ones awareness of safety issues.

6

12

14

2 15

10

Poor: - 1(Red) Average: 0(Blue) Good – 1(Yellow) Figure 15 Bridgend Town Centre: Environmental Matrix

Credit: Bridgend CBC

- 18 -

3.8 CUSTOMER VIEWS

3.8.1 It is a key challenge of the council to successfully engage the public in its work and, as mentioned previously, both the views of the retailer and the customer are important. The retailer must be happy with the town centre environment in which they are expected to run their business in order to satisfy customer demand, and the customer must be satisfied with the service they are provided with to ensure that they return.

3.8.2 Skillsmart Retail Ltd undertook a ‘Mystery Shopping’ exercise in 2006 to monitor how well the town centre was performing with regards to customer service. The results show that, out of 45 stores visited, 10 stores scored above 80% and only 3 scored below 50% which is a positive outcome. The results include both areas of praise and focus which, once fed-back should contribute to further improvements to performance.

3.8.3 Also mentioned last year was the ‘town centre assessment’ which was carried out on all the retail centres by an independent retailer to make observations on a number of key aspects including public facilities, cleanliness and customer service. Generally the towns centres were praised in terms of their public transport, cleanliness, public facilities and customer service with only minor areas of focus which included signage and uneven paving slaps which are areas all addressed within Bridgend town centre under the key regeneration programmes.

3.8.4 In addition to the above, in June 2006 a questionnaire was distributed to 1,305 members of the Bridgend Citizens Panel. The purpose of this questionnaire was to find out information relating to the following:

• Frequency of visits to the town centres • Opinion of the town centres • Reasons for visiting the town centres

3.8.5 The results showed that, with regard to Bridgend town centre, three- quarters (72%) of panellists visit Bridgend town centre at least once a month, including 39% who visit once a week or more often. It also showed that, those areas with a more densely populated retail centre (i.e. Porthcawl and Maesteg) were less likely to visit the town centre on a regular basis, with less than half (41% and 47% in Maesteg and Porthcawl respectively) visiting the town centre on a monthly basis. Whereas, around nine in ten of those who live in Bridgend West, Bridgend East and Ogmore Valley visit Bridgend town centre at least once a month.

3.8.6 Although nearly half of respondents (47%) said that they visit the town centre as much as they did three years ago, a higher percentage (36%) said that they visit the town centre less often than those who said that they visit it more often (13%). The three main reasons for this were parking problems, preferring to shop elsewhere (mainly in Cardiff, Swansea or at out-of-town stores and retail parks) and poor choice of shops and services.

- 19 -

3.8.7 Finally, the general opinion of the town centre showed that it was considered to be good in terms of being easily accessible whilst remaining pedestrian friendly. 60% of respondents rated the town as being good in terms of choice for eating and drinking and 52% suggesting that they felt safe and secure in the town centre. On the other hand however, the town was not praised in terms of its parking facilities, range and choice of shops, and most of all the range and choice of things to do.

3.8.8 It is hoped that these results will contribute to the future regeneration of the town centre by capitalising on the positive results and focussing attention on the areas in need of improvement.

3.9 CONCLUSIONS

3.9.1 Bridgend has once again witnessed a successful year in terns of town centre vitality. Primary retail rents have remained steady and competitive with a marked increase in secondary rental values. Another fall in retail yields and an increase in office rents for the first time in four years show increased investor confidence in the town centre.

3.9.2 The accessibility of the town centre continues to be of a high standard with the award winning bus station and the recently opened Vale of Glamorgan line providing linkages throughout the Borough as well as to Cardiff Airport, Rhoose, Llantwit Major and Barry. In addition to this, the accessibility of the town centre to the less mobile users continues to be good due to the ‘shopmobilty’ scheme as well as the promotion of more sustainable, modes of transportation.

3.9.3 With the completion of Phase IV of the regeneration programme within Duraven Place and Queen Street and the work that has commenced in Market Street, accessibility to the town centre has become much more environmentally friendly and safer with new surfaces to accommodate the increasing inflow of pedestrians within the town centre. Other regeneration works are expected to continue throughout 2007/08 with further funding to improve the public realm, accessibility, the street scene, safety and security within the town centre.

3.9.4 Crime statistics for the town centre show a fall in overall criminal activity in 2006. Derwen Road and Wyndham Street still have the highest amount of incidents reflecting a distinct pattern between criminal activity and the location of pubs and clubs etc.

3.9.5 Improvements to the town centre vitality and viability have been highlighted through the Skillsmart research carried out in 2006. This has helped identify the key strengths and areas for focus within the centre to contribute to future advancements and improved public perception.

3.9.6 Overall, vitality and viability of the centre has increased with public realm improvements building upon the fabric of the shopping centre, and significantly improving the shopping environment making it more attractive to the consumer. 2007 will see the beginning of the ASDA

- 20 - development due for completion in 2008 which will again make the town centre more attractive to potential major retail proposals within the town.

- 21 -

4. PORTHCAWL TOWN CENTRE

4.1 INTRODUCTION

4.1.1 Since the baseline study in 2002 there have been 4 town centre Health Checks carried out in Porthcawl by Bridgend County Borough Council. A lack of readily available data has made it difficult to accurately measure certain criteria detailed in Section 2 of the Technical Advice Notes 4 (Wales) in previous years. Therefore a more succinct assessment of the town centre has been carried out for 2006 drawing out the key issues. Nonetheless, the following study continues to allow for comparison with previous years and effectively monitor the overall health of Porthcawl town centre.

4.1.2 With a population of 15,800 (2001 census) Porthcawl is located 5 miles off junction 37 of the M4. The seaside resort lays approximately midway between Cardiff and Swansea and, as well as being a popular tourism destination, it has become a primary location for retirement and commuter populations.

4.1.3 The retail area is concentrated along John Street where the main retailers such as Woolworths, Boots, New Look and Peacocks are located. In addition to this, all the major high street banks and building societies are represented; however, the town lacks a major retailer limiting its capability to attract shoppers from other areas such as Bridgend town centre and McArthur Glen.

2006 UPDATE

4.1.4 Table 4 overleaf shows the results of the 2006 retail survey for Porthcawl Town Centre. A total of 283 units were surveyed which shows a slight fall on last years figures.

4.1.5 The service sector continues to dominate the town centre at 37.94% and continues to rise on a yearly basis. The comparison and convenience sectors’ figures continue to fluctuate on a minor scale.

- 22 - PORTHCAWL 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Convenience Goods Bakers & Confectioners 3 3 3 2 2 Butchers & Poulters 2 2 2 1 2 Grocery 5 5 5 4 5 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / 2 3 3 3 3 Newsagents Total 12 13 13 10 12

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 4 4 4 4 4 Men's and Boys Wear 0 0 0 0 0 Women's, Girls, Children and General Wear 16 14 14 14 14 Furniture, carpets & textiles 7 8 7 7 7 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy 8 8 8 7 6 bureaux Electrical, gas, music & photographic 6 8 7 4 5 DIY, hardware & housewares 3 2 2 2 0 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 1 1 3 3 3 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 1 1 1 2 1 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 7 7 7 7 7 Variety, department & catalogue 4 4 4 4 4 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 0 0 0 2 1 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 3 4 4 4 7 Jewellers & repair 4 4 3 3 3 Other 9 9 10 10 10 Total 73 74 74 73 72

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & 17 20 21 23 21 takeaways Pub / Club 7 7 7 9 9 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 10 7 8 9 10 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 2 2 2 1 1 Travel Agents 5 4 4 3 3 Banks, Building Societies and Financial 7 7 8 8 8 Services Estate Agents and Valuers 6 6 6 6 7 Professional Services 8 8 7 10 10 Other (Including Guest Houses, Hotels etc.) 30 26 27 27 28 Total 92 87 90 96 97

TOTAL 177 174 177 179 181

VACANT UNITS 12 14 13 23 16 VACANT UNITS (% OF TOTAL) 4.50% 5.28% 4.89% 8.07% 8.12%

TOTAL OTHER PROPERTIES 78 77 76 83 86

TOTAL PROPERTIES SURVEYED 267 265 266 285 283

Table 4: Retail ands Service Provision Source: Bridgend CBC

- 23 - 4.1.6 Table 5 shows the distribution of outlets by size and this is once again dominated by units that are under 1000 sq/ft in size.

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 149 52.65% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 103 36.40% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 22 7.77% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 7 2.47% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 1 0.35% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 1 0.35% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 283 100.00% Table 5: Property Size Distribution Source: Bridgend CBC

4.1.7 As highlighted in previous years, this is due to the lack of capability of the town centre to accommodate a larger retail outlet without combining several smaller outlets within the centre. However, at the forefront of the Porthcawl regeneration strategy is the designation of an area of land to facilitate a large retail outlet which will anchor the town centre and attract investment to Porthcawl.

4.1.8 Accessibility to the town centre is good and there is ample car parking. Although the town lacks a railway station, the bus services provide access to Bridgend railway station which has links to Cardiff and London. Bus services to Bridgend and Cardiff run every 20 minutes and services to Swansea, Port Talbot and Aberdare running at least once an hour.

4.1.8 Since the adoption of the Porthcawl Development Framework Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) in 2004 good progress has been made towards the regeneration of Porthcawl. In August 2006 Bridgend County Borough Council commissioned consultants to prepare a Design Code and Land Use Guidance SPG for the regeneration area which will provide further detailed guidance for developers. Aspirations are for Design Code and Land Use Guidance SPG to be adopted in 2007 with the site being bought forward for development by late 2007, early 2008.

4.1.9 Although the Porthcawl Regeneration Area itself is east of the town centre, proposed developments in Dock Street and John Street seek to create linkages with the town centre. The upgrading of the John Street car park to serve local business highlights the continuing work within the centre to increase its vitality and viability.

4.1.10 In terms of customer views, for the first time since 2004 research has been carried out to analyse perceptions of the town centres in the Borough. Skillsmart carried out a town centre assessment of Bridgend, Maesteg and Porthcawl, and a mystery shopping exercise with 45 retailers to analyse the retailing experience from the customer’s point of view. In terms of the town centre assessment the findings were generally positive with all three towns being praised for being clean, safe, easily accessible and maintaining a high standard of customer service. Only minor improvements were recommended in the form of

- 24 - improved signage, uneven paving slabs and more healthy eating options.

4.1.11 The mystery shopping exercise was also positive with only 3 stores out of the 45 surveyed scoring under 50% and 10 stores scoring over 80%, all retailers were said to have been polite, friendly and welcoming. The main issue to be resolved was regarding access for the less able.

4.1.12 80% of the Citizens Panellists questioned said that they visit Porthcawl town centre at least once a year and about half on a monthly basis. Least likely to visit are those living in Maesteg. Also, 69% of responses said that they visited Porthcawl as much as they did 3 years ago.

4.1.13 In terms of the panellists opinion of Porthcawl 90% describe it as being pedestrian friendly and 84% describe it as being easily accessible by public transport and car. It is also deemed as being safe and secure with a good range and choice of things to eat and drink and good car parking facilities. Most believe there to be a good range of choice of things to do in Porthcawl with mixed views on the range of choice of shops and services and nightlife.

- 25 - 5. MAESTEG TOWN CENTRE

5.1 INTRODUCTION

5.1.1 Maesteg is the main shopping centre within the Llynffi Valley and is located 7.8 miles from junction 36 of the M4 and 9.3 miles from Bridgend town centre, therefore providing adequate links to the county borough and other retail centres such as Swansea and Cardiff.

5.1.2 The commercial focus is centred on Commercial Street and Talbot Street. In previous years this Edwardian Industrial Town has seen transformation through the Councils efforts to regenerate it as a Commercial Centre.

2006 UPDATE

5.1.3 The alst 12 months has witnessed the opening of the Wilkinson store on Llynfi Road and public realm improvements which have enhanced the attractiveness and environmental quality of the centre, increasing public perception and therefore investor confidence in the town.

5.1.4 Table 6 overleaf shows the results of the 2006 Retail Survey of Maesteg town centre.

5.1.5 The results show a level of consistency throughout the town centre since 2005 with the total number of units, the number of comparison units and the number of service units remaining the same as last year. The only fluctuation was in the convenience goods which have seen a minor fall by 2 units. These are reflected in the increase in the number of vacant units.

5.1.6 The service outlets remain dominant within the town, however, the number of comparison goods have been increasing steadily over the years. As mentioned last year this could be due to the subdivision of units within the retailing centre but the rise in this years figures can be largely attributed to the opening of the new Wilkinson store on Llynfi Road.

- 26 - Maesteg 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Convenience Goods Bakers & Confectioners 3 3 3 3 2 Butchers & Poulters 2 2 2 2 2 Grocery 4 3 3 5 5 Off licence / Confectioners / Tobacconists / 1 2 2 2 1 Newsagents Total 10 10 10 12 10

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 4 5 5 4 4 Mens and Boys Wear 0 1 1 1 1 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 9 10 10 11 12 Furniture, carpets and textiles 6 4 4 3 2 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy 2 2 2 2 3 bureax Electrical, gas, music & photographic 4 5 5 3 3 DIY, hardware & housewares 3 3 3 4 4 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 3 2 2 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 0 0 0 0 0 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 9 8 8 9 9 Variety, department & catalogue 5 4 4 6 5 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 2 2 2 2 2 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 4 4 6 4 0 Jewellers & repair 1 1 1 2 2 Other 7 5 5 9 13 Total 59 56 58 60 60

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 15 16 16 17 16 Pub /Club 4 9 8 9 9 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 6 7 7 6 6 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 1 1 1 1 1 Travel Agents 3 3 3 3 3 Banks, Building Societies and Financial 8 8 8 6 Services 7 Estate Agents and Valuers 3 4 5 3 2 Professional Services 3 5 5 7 7 Other 4 10 10 11 12 Total 47 63 63 63 63

TOTAL 116 129 131 135 133

VACANT UNITS 24 20 18 16 18 VACANT UNITS (% OF TOTAL) 14.54 12.12 10.91 9.25 11.92

TOTAL OTHER PROPERTIES 25 16 16 22 22

TOTAL PROPERTIES SURVEYED 165 165 165 173 173 Source: Bridgend CBC Table 6: Retail ands Service Provision Source: Bridgend CBC

- 27 -

5.1.7 In addition to this, during 2007 work is due to commence on a new Tesco store which will further increase the percentage on floorspace as a large multiple convenience and comparison goods retailer.

5.1.8 Maesteg market on Talbot Street continues to contribute to the variety of services that the town centre has to offer. The market contributes 10 convenience units, 19 comparison units and 4 service units to the retail offer of the town centre and the vacancy rates have seen a significant drop from 5 in 2005 to only 1 in 2006.

5.1.9 Accessibility to the town centre remains good with the A4063 and the B4282 providing links to the Caerau, Port Talbot, Bridgend and the M4 motorway. With regards to public transport, the bus service provides regular services to the Llynfi Valley and Bridgend, as well as an hourly service to Swansea. The wider rail service that Bridgend has to offer is also accessible through a regular service from Maesteg railway station.

5.1.10 Physical enhancement schemes being implemented in the town centre, 2006 with Phase II of the regeneration programme. This included:

ƒ An enhanced riverside walk ƒ Tidying and planting of river banks ƒ Tree planting along river frontage ƒ Boulders around entrance to culvert & riffles within stream bed ƒ New footbridge at Plasnewydd Street from the car park to Talbot Street ƒ CCTV and lighting

5.1.11 The third phase of the programme is due to be undertaken in 2007 which will improve Talbot Street, the enhancement of several listed buildings in the area, complementing the works that have already taken place. This, combined with the maintenance and improvement of many of the buildings through additional grant schemes, will improve much of the existing dilapidated urban fabric. This will ensure that the architectural designs that make Maesteg unique will continue to contribute to the vitality, viability and attractiveness of the centre.

5.1.12 In terms of customer views, for the first time since 2004 research has been carried out to analyse perceptions of the town centres in the Borough. Skillsmart carried out a town centre assessment of Bridgend, Maesteg and Porthcawl, and a mystery shopping exercise with 45 retailers to analyse the retailing experience from the customer’s point of view. In terms of the town centre assessment the findings were generally positive with all three towns being praised for being clean, safe, easily accessible and maintaining a high standard of customer service and only minor improvements recommended in the form of improved signage, uneven paving slabs and more healthy eating options.

5.1.13 The mystery shopping exercise was also positive with only 3 stores out of the 45 surveyed scoring under 50% and 10 stores scoring over 80%, all retailers were said to have been polite, friendly and

- 28 - welcoming. The main issue to be resolved was regarding access for the less able.

5.1.14 The Citizens Panels results for Maesteg showed that, in terms of frequency, almost 9 in 10 (87%) of Maesteg residents visit the centre once a week. However, apart from residents within the valleys, those living outside of the Maesteg area are unlikely to visit the town even once a year.

5.1.15 55% of those who responded to the question stated that they visit the town centre as often as they did three years ago. However, 17% said that they visit the town less often than they did 3 years ago, and their reasons for this were that they have no need to visit Maesteg town centre and that they’re not interested in doing so. A fifth also said that they live too far away from Maesteg or that they prefer to shop elsewhere (mainly Bridgend, Cardiff or Swansea).

5.1.16 Opinions with regard to safety and security, the range of shops and services and the range of choice of other things to do in the town were mixed with many describing them as being poor.

5.1.17 On a positive note 79% of visitors considered accessibility and public transport to be good, 71% considered car parking facilities to be good and 60% said that the town was pedestrian friendly.

- 29 - BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH RETAIL SURVEY - OCTOBER 2006

6.1 INTRODUCTION

6.1.1 As outlined in section 1, for the fifth successive year, the Council has undertaken its own survey into the uses of all of the smaller Established Commercial Centres within the County Borough.

6.1.2 As with the town centre Health Checks, Technical Advice Note (Wales) Number 4: Retailing and Town Centres (1996) states that area wide information which could be useful to Local Planning Authorities is:

"…the amount and distribution of different forms of retailing across a local authority area can provide a useful profile of the industry and assist in identifying the shopping hierarchy. Usually expressed as total gross floorspace, the main types of retailing identified are: convenience (mainly food) and comparison or durable goods (clothes, DIY, electrical components. etc). Outstanding planning permissions and known commitments should also be monitored."

6.1.3 The retail hierarchy of the County Borough is defined by Policy R1 of the adopted Bridgend Unitary Development Plan as follows:

Sub Regional Centre: Bridgend

Town Centres: Maesteg, Porthcawl

District Centres: Aberkenfig, Blaengarw, Brackla, Caerau, Nantyffyllon, Nantymoel, Ogmore Vale, Pencoed, Pontycymmer and Pyle/Kenfig Hill

6.1.4 This survey was conducted in October 2006 and, whilst all floors of properties were surveyed, in line with other commercially provided data, all figures relate to ground floor uses only. In addition to this data, also included in this section are GIS based maps similar to those available commercially, but produced by the Local Planning Authority. These give an effective visual presentation of the vitality and viability of the centres by immediately highlighting areas which are rich in commercial activity and those which are not with high levels of vacancies or non-retail uses.

- 30 -

No. of BRIDGEND - 2006 Units Area (sq. ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 472 885,690 % of Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 385 757,031 Commercial Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 87 128,659 Units

Total Vacant 44 81,399 11.43% of s

% Vacant 9.32% 9.19% e

Total Convenience 13 39,199 rti 3.38%

% Convenience 2.75% 4.43% es are Total Comparison 135 291,667 35.06% % Comparison 28.60% 32.93% Total Service 193 344,766 50.13% Total Prope

% Service 40.89% 38.93% Percentag

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 5 4,737 Butchers & Poulters 1 463 Grocery 5 32,567 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 2 1,432 Total 13 39,199

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 5 6,685 Mens and Boys Wear 6 7,802 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 29 57,815 Furniture, carpets & textiles 10 16,377 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 9 13,870 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 19 22,831 DIY, hardware & housewares 3 4,454 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 3 2,443 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 2 15,338 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 15 28,539 Variety, department & catalogue 7 69,935 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 2 2,456 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 8 10,203 Jewellers & repair 8 5,414 Other 9 27,505 Total 135 291,667

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 39 48,110 Pub / Club 19 63,163 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 24 15,345 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 1 819 Travel Agents 7 6,835 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 22 36,549 Estate Agents and Valuers 11 11,165 Professional Services 40 51,459 Other 30 111,321 Total 193 344,766

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 233 49.36% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 152 32.20% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 52 11.02% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 22 4.66% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 9 1.91% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 3 0.64% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 1 0.21% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 472 100.00%

- 31 -

No. of PORTHCAWL - 2006 Units Area (sq. ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 283 423,846 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 197 315,586 % of Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities Commercial etc.) 86 108,260 Units

Total Vacant 16 16,872 8.12% of s

% Vacant 5.65% 3.98% e

Total Convenience 12 38,888 rti 6.09%

% Convenience 4.24% 9.18% es are Total Comparison 72 99,027 36.55% % Comparison 25.44% 23.36% Total Service 97 160,799 49.24% Total Prope

% Service 34.28% 37.94% Percentag

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 2 2,393 Butchers & Poulters 2 2,678 Grocery 5 30,059 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 3 3,758 Total 12 38,888

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 4 5,091 Mens and Boys Wear 0 0 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 14 22,167 Furniture, carpets & textiles 7 10,123 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 6 5,775 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 5 6,754 DIY, hardware & housewares 0 0 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 3 1,344 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 1 2,421 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 7 12,430 Variety, department & catalogue 4 12,675 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 1 491 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 7 6,402 Jewellers & repair 3 4,063 Other 10 9,291 Total 72 99,027

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 21 26,283 Pub / Club 9 24,126 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 10 11,093 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 1 1,083 Travel Agents 3 4,797 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 8 11,198 Estate Agents and Valuers 7 5,133 Professional Services 10 11,103 Other (inlcuding Guest Houses, Hotels etc.) 28 65,983 Total 97 160,799

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 149 52.65% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 103 36.40% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 22 7.77% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 7 2.47% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 1 0.35% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 1 0.35% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 283 100.00%

- 32 -

No. of MAESTEG - 2006 Units Area (sq. ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 173 286,441 % of Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 151 258,894 Commercial Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 22 27,547 Units

Total Vacant 18 33,360 11.92% of s

% Vacant 10.40% 11.65% e

Total Convenience 10 40,485 rti 6.62%

% Convenience 5.78% 14.13% es are Total Comparison 60 94,033 39.74% % Comparison 34.68% 32.83% Total Service 63 91,016 41.72% Total Prope

% Service 36.42% 31.77% Percentag

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 2 2,227 Butchers & Poulters 2 1,330 Grocery 5 35,960 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 1 968 Total 10 40,485

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 4 4,716 Mens and Boys Wear 1 1,801 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 12 15,319 Furniture, carpets & textiles 2 1,830 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 3 2,925 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 3 2,128 DIY, hardware & housewares 4 4,600 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 0 0 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 9 11,809 Variety, department & catalogue 5 29,161 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 2 1,265 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 0 0 Jewellers & repair 2 520 Other 13 17,959 Total 60 94,033

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 16 17,263 Pub / Club 9 23,433 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 6 4,456 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 1 645 Travel Agents 3 2,686 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 7 12,346 Estate Agents and Valuers 2 2,773 Professional Services 7 6,834 Other 12 20,580 Total 63 91,016

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 80 46.24% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 62 35.84% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 23 13.29% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 5 2.89% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 2 1.16% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 1 0.58% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 0 0.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 173 100.00%

- 33 -

No. of Area (sq. ABERKENFIG - 2006 Units ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 88 104,007 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 50 72,954 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 38 31,053

Total Vacant 4 2,640 % Vacant 4.55% 2.54% Total Convenience 4 5,208 % Convenience 4.55% 5.01% Total Comparison 18 26,891 % Comparison 20.45% 25.85% Total Service 24 38,215 % Service 27.27% 36.74%

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 0 0 Butchers & Poulters 1 1,455 Grocery 3 3,753 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 00 Total 4 5,208

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 0 0 Mens and Boys Wear 0 0 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 2 1,421 Furniture, carpets & textiles 3 5,590 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 0 0 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 2 1,969 DIY, hardware & housewares 3 6,787 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 0 0 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 1 1,961 Variety, department & catalogue 0 0 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 2 1,009 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 3 4,851 Jewellers & repair 0 0 Other 2 3,303 Total 18 26,891

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 8 16,691 Pub / Club 5 13,280 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 5 3,689 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 0 0 Travel Agents 0 0 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 2 2,199 Estate Agents and Valuers 0 0 Professional Services 3 1,437 Other 1 919 Total 24 38,215

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 51 57.95% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 31 35.23% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 4 4.55% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 2 2.27% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 0 0.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 88 100.00%

- 34 -

No. of Area (sq.

BLAENGARW - 2006 Units ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 33 35,225 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 10 14,426 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 23 20,799

Total Vacant 3 1,920 % Vacant 9.09% 5.45% Total Convenience 1 1,203 % Convenience 3.03% 3.42% Total Comparison 2 1,278 % Comparison 6.06% 3.63% Total Service 4 10,025 % Service 12.12% 28.46%

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 0 0 Butchers & Poulters 0 0 Grocery 0 0 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 1 1,203 Total 1 1,203

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 0 0 Mens and Boys Wear 1 436 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 0 0 Furniture, carpets & textiles 0 0 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 0 0 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 0 0 DIY, hardware & housewares 0 0 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 0 0 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 0 0 Variety, department & catalogue 0 0 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 0 0 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 0 0 Jewellers & repair 0 0 Other 1 842 Total 2 1,278

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 1 673 Pub / Club 2 8,202 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 1 1,150 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 0 0 Travel Agents 0 0 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 0 0 Estate Agents and Valuers 0 0 Professional Services 0 0 Other 0 0 Total 4 10,025

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 26 78.79% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 4 12.12% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 3 9.09% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 0 0.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 33 100.00%

- 35 -

No. of Area (sq. BRACKLA - 2006 Units ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 16 44,180 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 14 29,685 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 2 14,495

Total Vacant 0 0 % Vacant 0.00% 0.00% Total Convenience 4 18,130 % Convenience 25.00% 41.04% Total Comparison 3 4,209 % Comparison 18.75% 9.53% Total Service 7 7,346 % Service 43.75% 16.63%

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 1 1,060 Butchers & Poulters 0 0 Grocery 1 13,915 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 2 3,155 Total 4 18,130

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 0 0 Mens and Boys Wear 0 0 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 0 0 Furniture, carpets & textiles 0 0 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 0 0 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 0 0 DIY, hardware & housewares 0 0 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 0 0 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 2 3,167 Variety, department & catalogue 0 0 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 0 0 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 0 0 Jewellers & repair 0 0 Other 1 1,042 Total 3 4,209

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 3 3,146 Pub / Club 0 0 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 1 1,093 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 1 963 Travel Agents 0 0 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 0 0 Estate Agents and Valuers 1 1,125 Professional Services 0 0 Other 1 1,019 Total 7 7,346

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 1 6.25% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 12 75.00% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 2 12.50% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 1 6.25% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 0 0.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 16 100.00%

- 36 -

No. of Area (sq. CAERAU - 2006 Units ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 54 48,636 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 22 27,199 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 32 21,437

Total Vacant 5 5,885 % Vacant 9.26% 12.10% Total Convenience 2 2,868 % Convenience 3.70% 5.90% Total Comparison 3 2,867 % Comparison 5.56% 5.89% Total Service 12 15,579 % Service 22.22% 32.03%

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 0 0 Butchers & Poulters 0 0 Grocery 2 2,868 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 0 0 Total 2 2,868

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 0 0 Mens and Boys Wear 0 0 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 0 0 Furniture, carpets & textiles 0 0 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 0 0 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 0 0 DIY, hardware & housewares 0 0 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 0 0 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 2 1,659 Variety, department & catalogue 0 0 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 0 0 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 0 0 Jewellers & repair 0 0 Other 1 1,208 Total 3 2,867

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 4 2,806 Pub / Club 3 8,701 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 2 1,529 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 0 0 Travel Agents 0 0 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 1 617 Estate Agents and Valuers 0 0 Professional Services 2 1,473 Other 0 453 Total 12 15,579

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 43 79.63% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 8 14.81% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 3 5.56% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 0 0.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 54 100.00%

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No. of Area (sq. NANTYFFYLLON - 2006 Units ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 90 65,841 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 12 13,152 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 78 52,689

Total Vacant 4 4,477 % Vacant 4.44% 6.80% Total Convenience 3 3,246 % Convenience 3.33% 4.93% Total Comparison 2 2,064 % Comparison 2.22% 3.13% Total Service 3 3,365 % Service 3.33% 5.11%

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 0 0 Butchers & Poulters 0 0 Grocery 2 2,308 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 1 938 Total 3 3,246

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 0 0 Mens and Boys Wear 0 0 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 0 0 Furniture, carpets & textiles 0 0 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 0 0 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 0 0 DIY, hardware & housewares 0 0 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 1 911 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 0 0 Variety, department & catalogue 0 0 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 0 0 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 0 0 Jewellers & repair 0 0 Other 1 1,153 Total 2 2,064

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 1 843 Pub / Club 1 1,884 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 1 638 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 0 0 Travel Agents 0 0 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 0 0 Estate Agents and Valuers 0 0 Professional Services 0 0 Other 0 0 Total 3 3,365

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 78 86.67% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 10 11.11% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 2 2.22% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 0 0.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 90 100.00%

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No. of Area (sq. NANTYMOEL - 2006 Units ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 125 134,759 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 36 50,738 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 89 84,021

Total Vacant 14 20,367 % Vacant 11.20% 15.11% Total Convenience 5 7,459 % Convenience 4.00% 5.54% Total Comparison 6 4,635 % Comparison 4.80% 3.44% Total Service 11 18,277 % Service 8.80% 13.56%

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 0 0 Butchers & Poulters 1 563 Grocery 3 6,418 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 1 478 Total 5 7,459

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 0 0 Mens and Boys Wear 0 0 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 0 0 Furniture, carpets & textiles 0 0 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 0 0 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 0 0 DIY, hardware & housewares 1 898 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 0 0 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 1 681 Variety, department & catalogue 1 832 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 0 0 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 0 0 Jewellers & repair 1 598 Other 2 1,626 Total 6 4,635

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 3 1,578 Pub / Club 3 11,930 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 1 395 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 0 0 Travel Agents 0 0 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 0 0 Estate Agents and Valuers 0 0 Professional Services 2 1,438 Other 2 2,936 Total 11 18,277

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 100 80.00% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 15 12.00% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 5 4.00% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 5 4.00% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 0 0.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 125 100.00%

- 39 -

No. of Area (sq. OGMORE VALE - 2006 Units ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 153 138,417 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 42 51,749 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 111 86,668

Total Vacant 13 11,537 % Vacant 8.50% 8.33% Total Convenience 2 1,844 % Convenience 1.31% 1.33% Total Comparison 8 9,041 % Comparison 5.23% 6.53% Total Service 19 29,327 % Service 12.42% 21.19%

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 0 0 Butchers & Poulters 0 0 Grocery 1 1,175 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 0 0 Total 1 1,175

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 0 0 Mens and Boys Wear 0 0 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 1 587 Furniture, carpets & textiles 2 3,227 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 0 0 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 1 1,116 DIY, hardware & housewares 0 0 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 0 0 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 2 2,203 Variety, department & catalogue 0 0 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 1 519 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 0 0 Jewellers & repair 0 0 Other 1 1,389 Total 8 9,041

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 4 5,764 Pub / Club 4 10,090 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 4 2,454 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 0 0 Travel Agents 0 0 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 1 1,668 Estate Agents and Valuers 0 0 Professional Services 2 4,216 Other 4 5,135 Total 19 29,327

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 117 76.47% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 30 19.61% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 6 3.92% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 0 0.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 153 100.00%

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No. of Area (sq. PENCOED - 2006 Units ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 89 88,891 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 70 66,528 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 19 22,363

Total Vacant 6 5,804 % Vacant 6.74% 6.53% Total Convenience 5 9,342 % Convenience 5.62% 10.51% Total Comparison 22 17,494 % Comparison 24.72% 19.68% Total Service 37 33,888 % Service 41.57% 38.12%

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 0 0 Butchers & Poulters 1 306 Grocery 2 7,917 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 2 1,119 Total 5 9,342

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 0 0 Mens and Boys Wear 0 0 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 4 2,860 Furniture, carpets & textiles 3 3,173 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 0 0 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 1 396 DIY, hardware & housewares 2 1,934 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 2 1,126 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 0 0 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 3 3,087 Variety, department & catalogue 1 645 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 3 2,227 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 1 540 Jewellers & repair 0 0 Other 2 1,506 Total 22 17,494

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 7 7,663 Pub / Club 3 7,405 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 9 4,645 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 1 1,148 Travel Agents 0 0 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 3 2,821 Estate Agents and Valuers 4 2,014 Professional Services 5 2,907 Other 5 5,285 Total 37 33,888

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 63 70.79% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 23 25.84% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 2 2.25% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 1 1.12% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 0 0.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 89 100.00%

- 41 -

No. of Area (sq. PONTYCYMMER - 2006 Units ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 123 98,229 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 61 60,525 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 62 37,704

Total Vacant 19 10,104 % Vacant 15.45% 10.29% Total Convenience 5 7,429 % Convenience 4.07% 7.56% Total Comparison 11 10,115 % Comparison 8.94% 10.30% Total Service 26 32,877 % Service 21.14% 33.47%

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 1 342 Butchers & Poulters 1 526 Grocery 3 6,561 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 0 0 Total 5 7,429

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 1 1,161 Mens and Boys Wear 1 1,243 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 2 1,622 Furniture, carpets & textiles 0 0 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 2 1,012 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 1 572 DIY, hardware & housewares 0 0 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 0 0 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 1 864 Variety, department & catalogue 1 2,125 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 0 0 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 0 0 Jewellers & repair 0 0 Other 2 1,516 Total 11 10,115

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 8 8,829 Pub / Club 4 11,285 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 3 1,510 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 0 0 Travel Agents 0 0 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 4 4,660 Estate Agents and Valuers 1 1,088 Professional Services 1 764 Other 5 4,741 Total 26 32,877

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 94 76.42% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 26 21.14% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 3 2.44% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 0 0.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 0 0.00% Total 123 100.00%

- 42 -

No. of Area (sq. Pyle / Kenfig Hill - 2006 Units ft.)

Total Properties Surveyed: 202 229,473 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 65 130,200 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 137 99,273

Total Vacant 11 12,582 % Vacant 5.45% 5.48% Total Convenience 6 56,583 % Convenience 2.97% 24.66% Total Comparison 21 28,139 % Comparison 10.40% 12.26% Total Service 27 32,896 % Service 13.37% 14.34%

Convenience Goods Bakers and Confectioners 0 0 Butchers & Poulters 1 696 Grocery 2 53,324 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 3 2,563 Total 6 56,583

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 0 0 Mens and Boys Wear 0 0 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 2 1,802 Furniture, carpets & textiles 2 1,173 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 0 0 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 5 3,181 DIY, hardware & housewares 0 0 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 0 0 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 4 3,034 Variety, department & catalogue 2 13,366 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 1 763 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 1 1,462 Jewellers & repair 0 0 Other 4 3,358 Total 21 28,139

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 5 4,049 Pub / Club 1 4,602 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 4 3,777 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 0 0 Travel Agents 1 844 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 4 3,947 Estate Agents and Valuers 2 1,203 Professional Services 6 4,884 Other 4 9,590 Total 27 32,896

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 172 85.15% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 23 11.39% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 4 1.98% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 1 0.50% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 1 0.50% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 0 0.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 1 0.50% Total 202 100.00%

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No. of Area (Sq. BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH - 2006 Units ft.) All Established Commercial Centres Total Properties Surveyed: 1901 2,583,635 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 1115 1,848,667 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 786 734,968

Total Vacant 157 206,947 % Vacant 8.26% 8.01% Total Convenience 72 231,884 % Convenience 3.79% 8.98% Total Comparison 363 591,460 % Comparison 19.10% 22.89% Total Service 523 818,376 % Service 27.51% 31.68%

Convenience Goods Bakers & Confectioners 11 10,759 Butchers & Poulters 10 8,017 Grocery 34 196,825 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 16 15,614 Total 71 231,215

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 14 17,653 Mens and Boys Wear 9 11,282 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 66 103,593 Furniture, carpets & textiles 29 41,493 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 20 23,582 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 37 38,947 DIY, hardware & housewares 13 18,673 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 8 4,913 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 4 18,670 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 47 69,434 Variety, department & catalogue 21 128,739 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 12 8,730 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 20 23,458 Jewellers & repair 14 10,595 Other 49 71,698 Total 363 591,460

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 120 143,698 Pub / Club 63 188,101 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 71 51,774 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 5 4,658 Travel Agents 14 15,162 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 52 76,005 Estate Agents and Valuers 28 24,501 Professional Services 78 86,515 Other 92 227,962 Total 523 818,376

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 1207 63.49% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 499 26.25% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 129 6.79% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 45 2.37% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 13 0.68% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 5 0.26% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 2 0.11% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 1 0.05% Total 1901 100.00%

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No. of Area (sq. RETAIL PARKS / SUPERMARKETS - 2006 Units ft.) Edge/Out of Centre (Figures include Mezzanine Floors) Total Properties Surveyed: 20 493,590 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 20 493,590 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 00

Total Vacant 1 6,997 % Vacant 5.00% 1.42% Total Convenience 4 239,637 % Convenience 20.00% 48.55% Total Comparison 15 246,956 % Comparison 75.00% 50.03% Total Service 0 0 % Service 0.00% 0.00%

Convenience Goods Bakers & Confectioners 0 0 Butchers & Poulters 0 0 Grocery 4 239,637 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 00 Total 4 239,637

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 1 10,000 Mens and Boys Wear 0 0 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 0 0 Furniture, carpets & textiles 6 64,916 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 0 0 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 2 20,000 DIY, hardware & housewares 4 128,262 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 0 0 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 1 13,778 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 0 0 Variety, department & catalogue 0 0 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 0 0 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 1 10,000 Jewellers & repair 0 0 Other 0 0 Total 15 246,956

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 0 0 Pub / Club 0 0 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 0 0 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 0 0 Travel Agents 0 0 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 0 0 Estate Agents and Valuers 0 0 Professional Services 0 0 Other 0 0 Total 0 0

Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 0 0.00% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 0 0.00% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 4 20.00% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 9 45.00% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 1 5.00% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 1 5.00% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 5 25.00% Total 20 100.00%

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No. of Area (Sq. BRIDGEND COUNTY BOROUGH - 2006 Units ft.) Total Properties Surveyed: 1921 3,077,225 Total Service / Convenience / Comparison / Vacant 1135 2,342,257 Total Other (includes Residential Properties & Community Facilities etc.) 786 734,968

Total Vacant 158 213,944 % Vacant 8.22% 6.95% Total Convenience 76 471,521 % Convenience 3.96% 15.32% Total Comparison 378 838,416 % Comparison 19.68% 27.25% Total Service 523 818,376 % Service 27.23% 26.59%

Convenience Goods Bakers & Confectioners 11 10,759 Butchers & Poulters 10 8,017 Grocery 38 436,462 Off licences / Confectioners / Tobacconists / Newsagents 16 15,614 Total 75 470,852

Comparison Goods Footwear and Repair 15 27,653 Mens and Boys Wear 9 11,282 Womens, Girls, Children and General Wear 66 103,593 Furniture, carpets & textiles 35 106,409 Booksellers, arts, crafts, stationers, copy bureaux 20 23,582 Electrical, gas, music & photographic 39 58,947 DIY, hardware & housewares 17 146,935 China, glass, fancy & leather goods 8 4,913 Cars, motorcycles & motor accessories 5 32,448 Chemists, drug stores & opticians 47 69,434 Variety, department & catalogue 21 128,739 Florists, nurserymen & seedsmen 12 8,730 Toys, hobby, cycle & sports 21 33,458 Jewellers & repair 14 10,595 Other 49 71,698 Total 378 838,416

Service Restaurants, coffee bars, fast food & takeaways 120 143,698 Pub / Club 63 188,101 Hairdressers, beauty parlours & health centres 71 51,774 Laundries and Dry Cleaners 5 4,658 Travel Agents 14 15,162 Banks, Building Societies and Financial Services 52 76,005 Estate Agents and Valuers 28 24,501 Professional Services 78 86,515 Other 92 227,962 Total 523 818,376

Figures do not include McArther Glen Designer Outlet Village. Distribution of Outlets by Size Under 1,000 sq ft. 1207 62.83% Between 1,000 and 2,499 sq. ft. 499 25.98% Between 2,500 and 4,999 sq. ft. 129 6.72% Between 5,000 and 9,999 sq. ft. 49 2.55% Between 10,000 and 14,999 sq. ft. 22 1.14% Between 15,000 and 19,999 sq. ft. 6 0.31% Between 20,000 and 29,999 sq ft. 3 0.16% 30,000 sq. ft. and above 6 0.31% Total 1921 100.00%

- 46 - CONCLUSIONS

6.1.5 The results of the fifth annual Bridgend Retail Survey indicate that there is over 2.5 million square feet of floorspace in the Established Commercial Centres of the County Borough, with just over 1.8 million sq ft of that area in commercial use (a rise on the previous year). Approximately 8% of the units and total floorspace are vacant, which is well below the national average.

6.1.6 The retail parks and out-of-centre stores continue to perform very well, with a 95% occupancy rate. These account for approximately 16% of all commercial floorspace within the County Borough.

6.1.7 In total Bridgend County Borough has approximately 3.1 million square feet of floorspace within its ECCs, Retail Parks and Foodstores (excluding McArther Glen Designer Outlet Village), which incorporates around 2.3 million square feet of commercial floorspace. Floorspace vacancy rates lie at approximately 7% of total floorspace and 8% of commercial floorspace (which is comparable with the national average).

6.1.8 This fifth survey has built upon the previous years studies which will provide a sound basis for future reviews of retailing provision in the County Borough and the vitality, viability and attractiveness of its Established Commercial Centres. These statistics, when recorded and compared on an annual basis, will facilitate trends to be observed over time, and enable planning policies of the County Borough Council to be monitored and, where necessary, to be updated in response to the need for change.

COPYRIGHT NOTICES

All plans are drawn using an Ordnance Survey Base with the Permission of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or Civil Proceedings. (Bridgend County Borough Council License No. 100023405).

The data contained upon this base layer (and tables in Section 6) belongs to Bridgend County Borough Council and may not sold, transferred, copied or reproduced without prior written consent of Bridgend County Borough Council.

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