New ‘market square’ in Bridgend Indoor Market

The central market area is being made available for the public and traders to use for specialist events, family entertainment and children’s play facilities.

It is part of an ongoing project to give the market a new lease of life, which includes new toilets.

Over the past year, a series of illustrative panels providing information about the market’s rich history have been set up to welcome shoppers - and the market bell which dates back to 1837 has been relocated to the main entrance.

Meanwhile, new toilets available to the public are being built in partnership with Bridgend Town Council and the market traders association.

The new market square provides a flexible space for both traders and members of the public. Works are due to be completed this weekend – it will be wheelchair friendly and includes the installation of electrical power points.

We are also working in partnership with the traders association and Bridgend Town Council to provide new toilets.

We have recently had a number of new tenants come into the market and once the works have been completed we will start an extensive marketing campaign to fill the remaining vacancies.

Cabinet member for regeneration and education Charles Smith

In 2018, Bridgend County Borough Council introduced a new rent system and flexible lease terms for new stallholders, with existing stallholders benefitting from significant rent reductions.

As part of the revamp, the public toilets in the basement have been removed with additional storage space being provided for traders and stallholders.

The new toilets are due to open in March and will be run by the traders association.

Located by the rear entrance, one will be wheelchair accessible and contain babychanging facilities.

Gordon Woodbridge who runs The Deli on the Corner and is chairman of the market traders association said: “The market needs to modernise itself – we haven’t got the people coming into the town that we once did.

“The idea is that the new square will bring people in to take part in demonstrations by traders or craft fairs and different events.

“There will also be tables and chairs for people to sit and have their lunch that they have purchased in the market.

“I’m hoping the toilets will bring a lot of people in, it will cost 30p to use them which will pay towards their upkeep.”

Carol Daniel from The Craft Cwtch plans to use the new community space for craft classes two days a week.

She said: “We have already booked the space for crochet and knitting classes - each class takes about 12 to 14 people which will improve the footfall to the market.

“I’m also hoping to set up a knit and natter group, and a new class helping the older generation become tech savvy so they can access all the different patterns they need online.”

She added: “The toilets will be a great asset for the market – there’s a lot of older people and disabled people who use the market and currently, they don’t have access to any toilet facilities.”