Wrexham Welfare Centre to Open Ahead of ‘Mad Friday’ Celebrations

Wrexham’s new welfare and treatment centre is to open this evening – ahead of one of the busiest nights in the festive calendar.

Commonly known as ‘Mad Friday’ tonight signifies one of the busiest nights of the year – with the last Friday of the year generally symbolising for many the last day of work before Christmas.

In Wrexham the annual ‘Think Safe, Drink Safe’ Campaign was launched at the end of November.

Supported by North Wales Police, local councils and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, it is aimed at ensuring visitors to towns across the region can enjoy a safe and relaxed night out during the festive season.

It also aims to promote safe and responsible drinking and prevent and reduce levels of alcohol fuelled violent crime and anti-social behaviour across North Wales.

Superintendent Jane Banham of North Wales Police said; “We want people to enjoy the festive season, but we know from experience that at this time of year some people will come to harm due to alcohol excess and it is the emergency services and local councils who are left picking up the pieces.

“We make a significant contribution to keeping our town centres safe so people can enjoy a good night out, but we must get the message across that people need to take greater responsibility for themselves and their friends to reduce the likelihood of them being injured, becoming a victim of crime, or being involved in violence through excessive drinking.”

Tonight will also see the first use of Hafan y Dref on Albion Street in the Town Centre.

In October Wrexham.com reported that work had begun on converting the former public toilets on Albion Street into a Welfare Centre which will provide treatment services and help during Saturday’s and key dates throughout the year.

The conversion will see a reduction in the number of public toilets available, with three toilets and one disabled facility at the Albion site, instead of 17. A fee of 20p to use the public conveniences will also be introduced.

Work within the centre will aim to provide a triage service and immediate first aid support to visitors who may be injured or suffering as a result of excess alcohol consumption; along with offering support to individuals who may be vulnerable and at increased risk as a result of excess alcohol consumption.

The new welfare centre comes as a result of £200,000 in funding from the Welsh Government.

The idea for Hafan y Dref stems from a pop-up centre which operated during the August Bank Holiday Weekend. It is hoped that the permanent fixture will be a benefit to visitors and partners in the town centre and also reduce the burden on the Welsh Ambulance Service and A&E.

Along with the opening of the Welfare Centre key dates over the festive period have also been highlighted, including tonight Saturday 19th December, Christmas Eve, Boxing day, Sunday 27th December, Monday 28th December and New Year’s Eve.

It is anticipated that evening road closures on Town Hill and the High Street will be implemented for some of the key dates across the festive period.