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The council has produced a short film highlighting the role that independent businesses play in the local town centres of Bridgend, Porthcawl & Maesteg.

Our independent businesses offer customers a great choice and diversity of products, as well as service, tradition and innovation. Businesses in each of our towns create jobs and make a valuable contribution to the local economy.

You can view the film by clicking on the link below:

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Bridgend

Bridgend town centre is located on a main train line at the heart of the County Borough. Its history as a county market town is reflected in a number of key buildings of architectural significance, which are listed within the conservation area.

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The town centre’s shopping offer provides a healthy mix of familiar high street names, such as Burtons, Dorothy Perkins, New Look, B&M Bargains and Home Bargains, alongside independent retailers and key services such as banks, building societies, opticians, dentists and solicitors. The main town centre streets are pedestrianised between the hours of 10am and 6pm, and the town boasts two indoor shopping centres as well as an Indoor Market.

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Located off Caroline Street, one of the main pedestrianised streets, is the Rhiw Shopping Centre, with WHSmith, Boots and independent retailers under one roof. The Indoor Market, run by Bridgend County Borough Council, is accessed through this shopping centre. This traditional market is home to a number of long established family businesses and new traders.

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In Bridgend Shopping Centre, located on Cheapside, you’ll find many high street brands including Peacocks, Iceland, Poundworld and Farmfoods, and there’s a large Wilko store nearby.

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Within the town centre there are two multi-storey car parks: the Rhiw and Brackla One, operated by Bridgend County Borough Council. There is also a number of privately run public car parks dotted around the town.

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Three supermarkets, Tesco, Asda and Aldi, are located on the edge of the town centre, within walking distance of the County Borough’s main bus station, on Market Street.

Porthcawl

Porthcawl is a beautiful seaside town situated 19 miles to the west of Cardiff. Adjacent to the town centre is a harbour, beach and holiday park. Within half a mile of the high street is one of Wales’ finest surfing beaches, Rest Bay, with its new Watersports Centre.

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The majority of the shops are located in the streets just behind the seafront Esplanade. Well Street contains several independent retailers, a coffee shop and a fish and chip restaurant. In John Street, which is pedestrianised between the hours of 11am and 6pm, you’ll find independent businesses alongside high street brands, such as B&M Bargains, Superdrug, Poundland and Costa Coffee. There’s a large Co-operative supermarket in the adjoining Lias Road.

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A short walk away is the RNLI station and the harbour, where the Jennings Building contains a selection of coffee shops and restaurants.

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There are two town centre car parks, both operated by Bridgend County Borough Council. The long stay Hillsboro Place car park is between the harbour and the main shopping area, while the short stay car park is adjacent to John Street.

Maesteg

Maesteg town centre is located to the north of the County Borough within the South Wales Valleys. It offers a traditional, friendly shopping experience with a strong sense of community. On Commercial Street and Talbot Street, there is a mix of independent shops, service sector businesses and high street retailers, including Peacocks, New Look and Superdrug.

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In Llynfi Road there is a free multi-storey car park operated by Bridgend County Borough Council. Set around this car park are a number of retailers including Wilko, Aldi, Argos and Iceland.  

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At the heart of the town centre, alongside the historic Town Hall, are the bus station and Outdoor Market. Run by Bridgend County Borough Council, the retail units in the Outdoor Market are clustered around a new market square.

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The Town Hall is closed for a major £8 million refurbishment project during 2020 and 2021. On completion, the facility will be operated by Awen Trust as a live entertainment venue, library and coffee shop.

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Two supermarkets, Tesco and Asda, are situated on the edge of the town centre.

To find out more about business opportunities in our town centres, contact Andrew Highway, Town Centres Manager.

01656 815225
andrew.highway@bridgend.gov.uk