Cowbridge Business Focus Group

📅 Date: 02 February 2024

📍Location: The Duke of Wellington, Cowbridge

🗣️ Who we spoke to: 19 local business owners (retail, hospitality, services) + 3 Principality representatives.

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers

🙋 Type of engagement:

  • Targeted session for local business owners.
  • Purpose: Share information on Placemaking principles and gather feedback on business experience and town assets/deficits.
  • Included presentations on:
    • Principality’s Open Banking Kiosk pilot.
    • Economic Regeneration team’s SPF Business Grants and small grant scheme.

🚀 Emerging themes:

  • Connectivity & Infrastructure: Wi-Fi, mobile signal, transport, parking, signage.
  • Business Support & Promotion: Marketing, event promotion, tackling empty buildings.
  • Public Realm & Environment: Weeds, public toilets, bus shelter, pavements, car park safety.
  • Leisure & Activities: Swimming pool, cycle paths, basketball court, outdoor lido.
  • Culture & Identity: Protect heritage, strengthen sense of place, revive evening economy.

💬 Comments:

“Lucky to be mainly independents, not corporates – still buzzy!”

“Wi-Fi and mobile signal on High Street are terrible.”

“Parking permits for businesses would help.”

“Restaurants all closing – town very quiet at night.”

“We need better promotion of events – Tour of Britain had zero publicity.”

“Sense of place seems lost – a Welsh town in Wales should feel like it.”


📢 Summary

Challenges Facing the Town

  • Poor Wi-Fi and mobile signal on the High Street

  • Parking difficulties for visitors and businesses

  • Declining access to banking services

  • Limited public transport options

  • Infrastructure struggling to keep pace with housing growth

  • Concerns about losing Cowbridge’s unique sense of place

  • A quieter evening economy as restaurants close

Opportunities for Improvement

  • Better signage to guide visitors

  • Stronger promotion of local events

  • Enhanced leisure facilities to support community life

Strengths to Build On

  • A vibrant and welcoming High Street

  • Friendly atmosphere and strong community spirit

  • Historic buildings and charming architecture

  • Beautiful green spaces

  • Cultural highlights such as the Cowbridge Music Festival and Walking Festival

Key takeaway

Cowbridge businesses are united in their vision: to protect the town’s unique character while investing in better connectivity, stronger infrastructure, and richer opportunities for social and cultural life.