SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Fflint Wrecsam, is calling on his constituents to have their say on plans for Henblas Street, the former Hippodrome site and Chester Street in Wrexham.
Mr Rowlands, Welsh Conservative spokesperson for Families, is a keen supporter of letting local people have a say on what they want to see in their communities.
He said: “I think it is a great idea that Wrexham council want to create spaces for everyone to meet up with a particular focus on children, young people and families.
“It is vital these days to encourage shoppers into the city and I welcome any plans which will continue to improve the centre of Wrexham. Especially as it will also help to support Wrexham’s exciting bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.
“I urge anyone who wants to have their say on the plans to make sure they attend one of the drop-in sessions being held in Tŷ Pawb this month.
Wrexham Council is looking to create more playful spaces in the city or play, activities and creative projects…but it needs your help!
Specifically, it wants to develop new creative spaces on Henblas Street, the former Hippodrome site and Chester Street – helping to support Wrexham’s exciting bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.
The former Hippodrome site has been topical in recent years, and many people in Wrexham will remember the old 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 of his fellow Wrexham AFC owner.
Now the council is moving forward with the design phase with the backing of Rob’s company More Better, and is looking at how it can turn the land into a playful multifunctional space, along with other sites on Henblas Street and Chester Street.
As part of this, members of the public are being invited to share their ideas at a series of drop-in sessions at Tŷ Pawb. Some sessions have already taken place this month but there are also several planned for June where you can find out more about the proposals.
All June sessions will be held at Tŷ Pawb on:
- Monday, June 22nd: 12am – 5pm
- Tuesday, June 23rd: 10am – 5pm
- Wednesday, June 24: 10am – 5pm
- Thursday, June 25: 10am – 7pm
- Friday, June 26: 10am – 5pm
The council will also be working directly with local groups and young people to help shape their ideas.
Councillor Hugh Jones, Lead Member with responsibility for City of Culture, said: “It’s early days, but we have real aspirations to make Wrexham a truly playful city, and would like to see as many people as possible pop along to one of our sessions to find out more and help shape our plans.
“Creating more vibrant playful spaces in the city centre will help support Wrexham’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2029, so please get involved.”
