Penarth Business Forum – Focus Group


📅 Date: 6 March 2024

📍 Location of Engagement: Bar 44, Penarth

🗣️ Who we spoke to: 12 local business owners and representatives from Penarth Business Forum

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers & Senior Regeneration Officer

🙋 Type of engagement:
Invited focus group with an introductory session on placemaking, a workshop using “Gaps and Assets” grids, open discussion, and written submissions on priority issues for Penarth.

🚀 Emerging Themes

  • Parking & Loading Bays: Lack of spaces for shoppers and traders; issues with camera car fines; calls for park-and-ride and better management.
  • Town Attractiveness & Visitor Appeal: Improve gateways, signposting, planting, and make Penarth a destination town.
  • Loss of Services: Closure of banks and health facilities; need for community banking and health hubs.
  • Promotion & Marketing: Better advertising and PR to restore Penarth’s USP and attract visitors.
  • Connectivity & Infrastructure: Improve transport links, signage between trading areas, and safe pedestrian access.
  • Rates & Affordability: High property rents and rates impacting small businesses.
  • Culture & Community: Importance of cultural venues and events for vibrancy and footfall.

💬 Comments

“Parking is essential to ensuring businesses survive. No spaces, no visitors, no footfall.”

"Don't agree with pedestrianisation of the town centre"

“Make Penarth more attractive – gateways are drab and dull. Signposting and flowers are lacking.”

“Please remember successful communities are not just about revenue. Culture is critical.”

“Park and Ride would be a good compromise – could use Cosmeston to coincide with new development.”

“Proper designated parking for traders/employees – they take up spaces for 8 hours.”


📢 Summary
Business owners value Penarth’s economic resilience, independent shops, and community spirit but raised significant concerns about parking, loading bays, and loss of essential services. There is a strong call for improving town attractiveness, marketing, and connectivity, alongside cultural investment and fairer rates. Suggestions included park-and-ride schemes, better signage, planting, and creating spaces for markets and events to boost footfall and support local businesses.