Penarth Placemaking Evening Workshop

📅 Date: 9 September 2024


📍 Location of Engagement: Paget Rooms, Penarth


🗣️ Who we spoke to: Invited evening discussion session - stakeholder group including business representatives, Civic Society members, councillors, and youth representatives


Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers


🙋 Type of engagement:
Open discussion during an invited workshop focused on placemaking priorities for Penarth.


🚀 Emerging Themes

  • Infrastructure & Accessibility: Pavements need improvement; more seating for older people.
  • Parking & Connectivity: One-hour parking limit often insufficient; unclear signage; suggestion for a parking app; Park and Ride to link key areas (Leisure Centre, Marina, Cosmeston, shopping streets).
  • Town Centre Vibrancy: Marketing Penarth’s USP (“Garden by the Sea”); improved public realm; health hub to boost footfall; idea for a business incubator.
  • Banking & Services: Loss of banks; call for a community banking hub.
  • Culture & Events: More festivals and cultural events; better promotion (e.g., banners, QR codes); digital noticeboard for events.
  • Youth Provision: Affordable activities like a cheap cinema; concerns about safety on public transport.
  • Climate & Sustainability: Need to integrate Climate Emergency and Project Zero goals into plans.
  • Heritage: Civic Society working on Heritage Trail; seeking funding independently.


💬 Comments

“Penarth’s pavements need improving, and more seating is needed for older people.”

“Marketing Penarth’s USP ‘the garden by the sea’ is important – plus improved connectivity and public realm.”

“Parking signage is unclear – could a parking app be introduced?”

“Would be good to have more cultural events and better promotion – banners on Windsor Road for festivals.”

“Important to include response to Climate Emergency within any plan for the town.”

“More should be done to better connect different areas of the town – maybe some kind of Park and Ride could be introduced.”


📢 Summary
Stakeholders value Penarth’s identity and want to enhance its accessibility, vibrancy, and sustainability. Key priorities include improving pavements, seating, and parking; better connectivity between town areas; and creating spaces for cultural events and affordable youth activities. There is strong interest in marketing Penarth’s unique character, introducing a banking hub, and integrating climate goals. Feedback also highlighted the need for clearer parking signage, digital event promotion, and heritage preservation.