New £30k ‘Wrexham City’ signage rolled out

Road-users entering the County of Wrexham this year will be welcomed by new roadside gateway signage thanks to almost £30,000 of funding secured from Welsh Government as part of the ‘Brilliant Basics’ programme.

As we reported last year funding had been secured for the roll out, however the installed signs do look brighter than what was planned back then.

£29,807 was secured for Wrexham from the Brilliant Basics programme from a £5 million pan-Wales fund for 2023-25, shared between 29 projects that will help deliver small-scale infrastructure improvements in tourism locations across Wales.

Locally Wrexham Council received the cash to design, manufacture and install 14 signs for key route across the city and wider county

Cllr Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Economy at Wrexham County Borough Council said; “We’re really pleased to have secured this funding from the Brilliant Basics programme and the new signage will be a welcome addition to our highways as we enter the new tourism season. The signage reflects our new City status granted in 2022 and replaces the old signage to improve the first impressions for road users.”

Hannah Blythyn, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Tourism, said: “This £5million investment for a range of new projects will help deliver a first-class visitor experience for people choosing to holiday in Wales.

“The projects supported through our Brilliant Basics fund make a real difference. Local tourism amenities have a big part to play in making a trip a memorable one and although these types of facilities often go unnoticed, they are an important part of a visitor’s experience, whilst also benefiting those who live in these communities.”

In addition to the welcome signage, the funding secured will also allow the refurbishment of several A-road layby tourist information map boards in Rossett, Chirk, Bwlchgwyn and at the Whitchurch border.

While Wrexham gets signs other successful projects in North Wales included £300,000 for new Llandudno shelters and colonnades, £160,000 for Discover Flintshire by Trails, £300,000 for a plan to upgrade visitor infrastructure in Dinas Dinlle near Caernarfon and £250,000 to deliver refurbished toilets at Beaumaris, Rhosneigr, Traeth Bychan & Moelfre including shower facilities, bike storage & EV points where applicable.

A successful bid for city status was made with the aim of:

Increased sense of local pride.
A platform to promote Wrexham.
Opportunities for local institutions and businesses to raise their profile and attract investment. e.g. University
More potential to attract skilled and ambitious students, employees and investors to Wrexham. e.g. Hospital
Opportunities for the community, infrastructure, and services to grow and develop more sustainably.
A focus for future branding and marketing campaigns.
Greater awareness of Wrexham’s history, culture and language – attracting more visitors and supporting the local economy.
More potential to attract major projects.
The ability to collaborate with Welsh and UK cities on specific city projects and initiatives.
Increased expectations of ‘place making’ that in turn create more vibrant places to live, work and invest.