Annual Christmas campaign launched to support town centres.

This week sees the launch of the council’s annual ‘Spend Christmas in your town centre’ campaign, which encourages people to ‘shop local’ and support independent businesses and events in the run-up to the festive period.

Highlighting a jam-packed calendar full of festive fun across the county borough, the campaign features the popular Christmas Lights Switch-On, Christmas Parade, Victorian Christmas, and Santa Fest events organised by Bridgend, Maesteg and Porthcawl Town Councils. Further information on Christmas events and parades taking place across the county borough can be found on the council’s website.

Christmas shoppers can look forward to an array of handcrafted goods and seasonal produce at Green Top traditional Christmas street markets, alongside exclusive offers and promotions from local businesses and restaurants with the return of the ‘Digital Christmas’ website.

The special offers can be accessed by downloading the popular ‘We Love BRIDGEND / MAESTEG / PORTHCAWL’ apps on the Apple App Store or Google Play by searching BRIDGEND / PORTHCAWL / MAESTEG.

Visitors can also take advantage of the council’s existing free parking initiative in Bridgend, Maesteg and Porthcawl town centres at:

• The Rhiw, Bridgend (first three hours)
• John Street car park, Porthcawl (between 12pm and 3pm)
• Llynfi Road, Maesteg (all year)

People visiting Bridgend town centre after 6pm can also park for free at the large open air car park at Brackla Street (behind Wilkinson’s) and car parks at Tremains Road, Tondu Road and at Bridgend Life Centre. Further town centre parking information is also available on the council’s website.

I am so pleased that we are able to support local town councils with the many exciting events that are taking place during the Christmas period, which will not only boost the number of visitors to our town centres but reinforce the spirit of our communities.

We have a fantastic selection of independent traders offering a wealth of products, and an increasing number of ‘destination’ restaurants in the county borough, and by shopping locally and supporting local businesses we can ensure that our town centres remain at the heart of our community and can continue to thrive.

Councillor Neelo Farr, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration