Welsh Government announces £5 million of funding for Henblas Street, the former Hippodrome site and Chester Street, to build a new cultural park in the heart of the city centre…
Welsh Government has announced a major funding package to help transform a key part of Wrexham city centre.
The money will be used to transform the area around Henblas Street, the former Hippodrome site and Chester Street – with new paving, street furniture, trees and green spaces.
The former Hippodrome site will also feature tiered seating, landscaping, a large outdoor screen and water-features.
Driving the initiative is Wrexham Council’s vision of a vibrant new cultural quarter at the heart of the city centre – helping to support the daytime and night-time economy, and forging a stronger identity for Wrexham as a place with traditional Victorian markets, heritage, arts and culture.
The project also aligns with the council’s ‘Placemaking Plan’, which identified the potential for this type of development in the city centre.
Sian Gwenllian, Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning made the funding announcement on a visit to the city earlier today, and senior leaders at Wrexham Council have welcome the news.
Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Siân Gwenllian: “It’s been a real pleasure to visit Tŷ Pawb and see the transformative impact this space has had on Wrexham’s creative community.
“Meeting artists based there has shown me exactly what can be achieved when we invest in our town centres, not just in bricks and mortar, but in the people and ideas that bring them to life.
“This funding will help build on the fantastic work we’re already seeing in Wrexham, supporting local businesses, boosting footfall and creating spaces that communities can be proud of. It also reflects the priorities set out by our Town Centre Taskforce, which is helping to ensure that regeneration is driven by what communities actually need.”
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: “I’d like to thank Sian Gwenllian and the Welsh Government for backing Wrexham and recognising the huge potential this city has to offer.
“We’ve already delivered a number of major regeneration schemes with support from Welsh Government, including the indoor markets, High Street, Old Library creative hub and the museum.
“The exciting plans we have for Henblas Street, the former Hippodrome site and Chester Street will be another piece in the jigsaw, as we look to help Wrexham realise its true potential as a modern, confident city.”
The project will be funded by the money from Welsh Government, along with a range of other funding sources, and the council hopes to begin work before the end of the year.
Councillor Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Economy, Business and Tourism, added: “This financial package from Welsh Government is an absolute game-changer, and marks the start of the next exciting chapter for Wrexham.
“We’re hoping to build on the look and feel of High Street, which underwent a major facelift around 18 months ago, and we’ll be using the same type of paving, outdoor amphitheatre style seating to create a performance space, planting and play features such as water fountains.
“Henblas Street and Chester Street will feel modern and attractive, and the former Hippodrome site will be a fantastic asset – perfect for families and community activities.”
History of the Hippodrome site
The former Hippodrome site has been topical in recent years, and many people in Wrexham will remember the old Hippodrome cinema with warm nostalgia. The cinema closed in the 1990s and the building burnt down in 2008.
Since 2023 the site has been linked with Hollywood after Rob McElhenney announced proposals for the Ryan Rodney Reynolds Memorial Park – a community space named in honour his fellow Wrexham AFC owner.
Earlier this year, the council announced it would be moving forward with the backing of Rob’s company More Better, and looking at how it can transform the site as part of a wider project involving Henblas Street and Chester Street.
