UPDATE: The future of Bridgend Indoor Market is hanging in the balance as the site remains closed for over two years following the discovery of unsafe materials. Authorities confirmed that the building was shut down in September 2023 due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in its roof, posing serious safety risks to the public.
This closure has had a significant impact on around 17 stallholders, who have been forced to relocate. Some traders have moved to a temporary facility at the nearby Rhiw Shopping Centre, while others have opted to establish their own businesses elsewhere in Bridgend. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the market’s future has raised concerns among local businesses and community members, particularly as Christmas approaches.
A recent freedom of information request by regional Senedd member Altaf Hussain revealed that the Bridgend County Borough Council is bound to a 99-year lease on the building, with 46 years remaining. The council is paying an annual rent of £132,470 for a property that currently has no tenants. Hussain described the lease, signed in 1972, as “disadvantageous” and indicative of a “toxic legacy” for current council members, although he clarified that no current officials are at fault.
In response to the public’s concerns, a spokesperson for Bridgend County Borough Council stated, “A range of extensive surveys have confirmed that the Bridgend Indoor Market building requires remedial work of both a significant cost and scale.” They are currently working with the building’s owners, based in the British Virgin Islands, to conduct an options appraisal to explore potential future uses for the site.
The council emphasized the importance of considering modern needs alongside the town’s heritage. “Rather than automatically making like-for-like repairs, it’s crucial that we explore a variety of future options that reflect modern society,” the spokesperson added.
The local independent group has also voiced its concerns, noting the market’s longstanding significance to traders and shoppers, especially during the holiday season. “Its closure has definitely been a loss,” they stated, urging that “positive news” should emerge soon.
As discussions continue, the council is set to provide further updates once the options appraisal is complete. Community members and local businesses are encouraged to engage in this process as Bridgend seeks to revitalize a key aspect of its town center.
Stay tuned for more urgent updates on this developing situation as Bridgend strives for a solution that meets the needs of its residents and businesses.
