Wrexham Gateway redevelopment will be ‘catalyst for further investment for further jobs growth’

The Minister for North Wales says he is ‘determined’ to make sure the people of Wrexham ‘enjoy the growth that will come when we start recovering from coronavirus’.

As with towns and cities across the world Wrexham has been hit with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, with big high street names and local brands closing stores – along with the postponement of events and performances that draw in thousands of people to the county borough each year.

However there have also been many positives for the town, not limited to independent and national businesses adapting their offer, the recent opening of Xplore! in the former TJ Hughes, Clogau opening in the town for the first time, the launch of the new Sports Direct and Game on Henblas Street and the surreal possibility of an imminent multi million pound takeover of Wrexham Football Club by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

There are also developments in the pipeline including the Western Gateway, North Wales Metro, the creation of a new national football museum, and plans to regenerate the town centre.

Speaking to Wrexham.com last week we asked Ken Skates MS, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, what he thinks the future of Wrexham will be in a post pandemic world.

He said: “We’re working really closely with the Civic Leadership Group in examining how Wrexham can become a more vibrant town, a greener town, a town in which the economy is not just reliant on one or two sectors but where we have a good spread of sectoral activity.

“In a post coronavirus environment I would expect more economic activity, more jobs, centred around the centre of town. We’ve seen investments, the Development Bank and Chetwood Financial Services demonstrate how Wrexham is an attractive place for people to work and for businesses to invest in.”

The Wrexham Gateway Partnership between Wrexham County Borough Council, Wrexham Glyndŵr University, Wrexham AFC and Welsh Government is continuing to develop its plans for the regeneration of the Mold Road area of the town.

Although final plans have not been unveiled, the ‘aspirations’ have been detailed as also including the development of a large public transport interchange at Wrexham General Railway Station; the redevelopment of the Kop end of the Racecourse Stadium and the ‘wider development’ of the Racecourse; the creation of a major, a regionally important conference venue, and more.

Mr Skates said, “I think we will see the development of the entire gateway around Wrexham General Station act as a catalyst for further investment for further jobs growth.”

“The news that that we could see significant investment in Wrexham Football Club with support from Ryan Reynolds further enhances prospects for the town.”

“I know, this is kind of a great Hollywood story, but it’s actually a really good story for the regeneration of Wrexham. It’s put Wrexham on a global map and it’s drawing attention to Wrexham.

“And if we are all working together to highlight and to showcase what’s great about Wrexham, we will get more investment, more jobs, more decent jobs in the town.”

“There are huge opportunities for Welsh businesses and we’re determined to make sure that businesses in Wrexham, people in Wrexham, enjoy the growth that will come when we start recovering from coronavirus.”