Conwy Council is one of six pilot areas under Place Plans that are being trialled by Welsh Government with the Abergele town centre Place Plan in response to several strategic areas across the town centre that are linked to employment and housing needs. A town that is a few miles from the coast and the A55, Abergele faces a number of challenges in retaining activity and its sense of place, which other towns face as connectivity is improved along the North Wales coast. The Council therefore sought a town centre based Place Plan for a 15-year period with community consultation at the heart of the process.

Blaenau Ffestiniog is the “town that roofed the world” but the long decline of the slate industry had placed economic and social strains on the town. The Regeneration Project commenced in 2007 as a partnership between Gwynedd Council, the local community group Blaenau Ymlaen (Blaenau Forward), and the Welsh Government. Community engagement was paramount: an innovative approach included Blaenau Ymlaen being on the project delivery team.

The role of event led regeneration has been a focus in Newport City Centre over recent years with Newport Food Festival created a way of showcasing food and hospitality businesses, using physical spaces in an urban setting and working towards changing perceptions of a place that has lacked investment and sense of purpose.