AUGUST 3RD - 11TH 2024 BUSINESS OPENING HOURS / ORIAU AGOR
Take a look at everything happening in Your Pontypridd this Halloween and half-term break!
Bravery, innovation, leadership, selflessness: just some of the attributes that were celebrated last night with the return of the annual South Wales Police Awards last night. The awards, held at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea, recognised officers, staff, volunteers and partners who have gone above and beyond for the force and the communities served by South Wales Police. The Taff Neighbourhood Policing Team which serves the community of Pontypridd, were nominated for two awards - the Police Community Support Officer of the Year Award & the Police and Crime Commissioner Exceptional Problem Solving in Partnership Award. The Taff team were successful in securing both awards, a major achievement for the town's local Policing team. The first award for the Taff Neighbourhood Policing Team went to PCSO Hannah Lowe who was described as the "Heart and soul of Pontypridd town" - Hannah Lowe, who is committed to tackling crime and disorder and is an integral part of initiatives including Pontypridd Outreach, a Halloween trail and a building painting project. Please see the video below from South Wales Police Twitter page showing Hannah's reaction to receiving the award:
New Careers Wales centre opening in Pontypridd On Monday 3 July, Careers Wales will be opening the doors to a new careers centre in Pontypridd. A team of experts will be on hand to provide free and impartial careers guidance and coaching, from support with sourcing jobs or apprenticeships, developing CVs and applications or identifying training and education opportunities, through to changing careers and redundancy. Based on site will be five careers advisers and an employability coach from Working Wales, the Welsh Government’s employability gateway for age 16 plus support, delivered by Careers Wales. Anyone in the area looking to further their career, increase their employability or seek access to employment and training opportunities is encouraged to book an appointment or drop-in to speak to the team. The centre will be open on a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 4.30pm and on Fridays from 9am to 4pm. It is located in the newly renovated YMa building (formally YMCA) on Taff Street and is equipped with two soundproof interview rooms to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Mandy Ifans, head of employment advice, said: “I am delighted to announce the opening of our new centre in Pontypridd. “Located in a prime position in the newly developed town centre, our service will provide accessible careers guidance and coaching. “Whilst our support can be accessed online and via telephone, it’s vital we continue to offer an inclusive local face-to-face service. “Based in the thriving hub of Pontypridd, the service will be beneficial not only to locals, but to people in the surrounding areas.” For more information or to book an appointment, visit the Careers Wales contact page . Find a full list of all Careers Wales centres here . Careers Wales provides an all-age, inclusive and impartial careers guidance and coaching service to the people of Wales. With a team of more than 570 careers advisers, business engagement advisers and employability coaches, our service starts with supporting young people with important choices and transition points during school years as well as providing high-quality work-related experiences. The Welsh Government funded Working Wales service provides tailored support to young people aged over 16 and adults with their employability needs including paid employment, training opportunities and redundancy support. Our Brighter Futures vision for 2021 - 2026 aims to deliver a bilingual, personalised service around the needs of our customers, ensuring we are there for the moments that matter in people’s lives and that our services are accessible to all, leaving no one behind.
Pontypridd town centre is now home to three new defibrillators thanks to the Welsh Government, Your Pontypridd BID, Pontypridd Town Council, Pontypridd Neighbourhood Watch and Pontypridd Neighbourhood Policing Team.
The Your Pontypridd Business Improvement District is looking to assist shops and businesses to improve the appearance of their shop fronts. Grants of up to: £250 excluding VAT (£300 including VAT), £500 excluding VAT (£600 including VAT) & £1,000 excluding VAT (£1,200 including VAT) are available. The scheme is open to all Your Pontypridd BID levy payers and the aim is to help local businesses to upgrade the frontage of their shops, thereby providing a more welcoming and accessible town centre to visit. There is currently a budget of £10,000 available for the scheme, the application process is very simple, click HERE to download the application form and scheme guidelines. Ideally, you should seek a minimum of 2 quotations for the work. The deadline for applications is 4pm on the 31 st of March 2023. Please send the application form along with the required information to james@yourpontypridd.co.uk or you can drop in your application form or send by post to Your Pontypridd Ltd, Pontypridd Museum, Bridge Street, Pontypridd, CF37 4PE. You can apply if your business: · Is a levy payer/voluntary member of Your Pontypridd BID and is up to date with its BID levy payments. This includes owners of vacant units. · Please note applications are limited to one per business/owners of vacant units. You can apply for a grant for: · Improvements to the physical appearance of the front of your business premises such as redecoration in suitable colours, renewed signage (fixed to the building), outside lighting, awnings, new windows/doors, disabled access, external security shutters, etc We will provide you with a decision within 14 days of the application deadline . Payment of the grant will be made on completion of the work and within 14 days of the submission of your invoice to the BID. Works must be carried out within 6 months of the grant award. If you have any questions about the scheme or need more information, please contact us at james@yourpontypridd.co.uk or on 07771 670212.
Pontypridd has launched its local gift card in time for Christmas – the card can be spent with a variety of shops, restaurants, venues and attractions.
Parti Ponty Town Trail / Taith Tref Parti Ponty: START DATE: 28 TH JUNE - 2 ND JULY DYDDIAD DECHRAU: 28ain O FEHEFIN – 2il O ORFFENNAF There are ten clues to help find the hidden letters in shops across Your Pontypridd – find them to complete the Parti Ponty Town Trail and receive a Certificate of Achievement and a chance to win a £20 voucher for The Market Quarter in Pontypridd! Mae yna ddeg cliw i ddod o hyd i lythrennau cudd mewn siopau ar hyd Eich Pontypridd – dewch o hyd iddyn nhw er mwyn cwblhau Taith Tref Parti Ponty gan dderbyn Tystysgrif Llwyddiant a chyfle i ennill taleb gwerth £20 i’w wario ym Marchnad Pontypridd Your Pontypridd BID and Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf have received an investment from A&B Cymru’s CultureStep to strengthen and develop their creative partnership.
BID levy payers are invited to attend the Your Pontypridd BID Annual General Meeting (AGM), taking place on Tuesday, 24th of May 2022, 5-6pm at Pontypridd Museum. If you would like to attend the AGM please RSVP to james@yourpontypridd.co.uk with your full name and business name . The AGM will include: Consideration and approval of 2021/2022 accounts Retirement, re-election and election of new directors Election of Chair and Treasurer Annual report of BID activities between 2021-2022 BID activities in 2022/2023 Opportunity to meet the BID staff and Board of Directors If you would like to vote at the AGM, you will need to formally join Your Pontypridd BID as a company member by simply completing a company membership form. We treat all levy payers as members in effect, but formally joining the company allows you to vote at the AGM. If you are a company member and unable to attend the AGM, you are entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote instead. Proxy forms are to be returned to the BID team 48 hours before the meeting. Get involved! All Board Directors volunteer to help make Pontypridd a better place and are business owners like you. A Board member is expected to attend meetings which are held every six weeks and be either a business owner within the BID area or be an employee of a BID levy paying business, we also have opportunities for Community representatives to join the board. If you would like to put yourself forward to join the Board then please contact BID Projects Officer James Payne with a paragraph outlining why you would like to be involved to james@yourpontypridd.co.uk The Agenda for the AGM can be downloaded HERE , the Annual Report will be given out to those attending the AGM and it will be published on the Your Pontypridd website the day after the AGM.
Residents of Rhydyfelin have had their hands full collecting unwanted bras for Against Breast Cancer, a cancer research charity.
A new interactive literary art trail based on Wales’ oldest myths and legends is being launched in Pontypridd this May.
Almost two years ago the community of Pontypridd suffered its biggest blow with record breaking floods devastating many homes in the area and forcing tens of businesses to close in town centre due to the severe damage caused. Just as the town was beginning to recover and after a long period where the business community came together to help each other and bring the town back to life, the nation was put into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic had an immediate impact on the town with well-known brands such as Carphone Warehouse and River Island closing as these companies were forced to make changes up and down Wales and in the United Kingdom. This in addition to all the vacant properties still recovering from the February floods, the future for businesses in Pontypridd looked bleak. However, with the town seemingly on its knees, an exciting group of new and existing entrepreneurs and businesses grabbed the opportunity to build and continue their ideas in Pontypridd and build on what was already such a strong business community. As a business led organisation, we at Your Pontypridd Business Improvement District have been at the heart of the business community throughout the highs and lows of the past two years. With support from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns fund we are developing a video series with two local businesses Artifact Multimedia and Plaingraffic, to document the transformation of the town in the past twelve to eighteen months and to dive into all the buzz and excitement around major regeneration projects coming to Pontypridd in the near future. Our first film (above) sees us speaking to many of the new independent businesses who have moved into the town centre, the exciting Gatto Lounge, a new restaurant at the recently opened Llys Cadwyn development, and we speak to those businesses who have survived and thrived following the devastating floods. If you would like to know any more about the Project or have any questions about Your Pontypriddd BID please contact us at info@yourpontypridd.co.uk
Congratulations to this year's winners - Storyville Books And a very well done to Elyn Boutique, Bizzie Lizzie, Closet of Style and Millie's Smelly Melts on making the top five. Take a look at their fantastic displays below.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FINAL FIVE WINNERS OF £200 OF VOUCHERS TO SPEND IN #YOURPONTYPRIDD Ryan Robinson, from Mountain Ash who spent £10 in Warren James Nadia Emblin, from Abercynon who spent £10 in Millie's Smelly Melts Lowri Davies, from Porth who spent £10 in Valley Sports Terry Bishop, from Llanharan who spent £10 in Elyn Boutique Ron Eveleigh, from Rhydyfelin who spent £10 in Mo's Kitchen
IT’S A YES! Your Pontypridd BID secure new five year term after positive ballot result
Lynda Davies, Chair of Pontypridd Town Council’s Regeneration and Museum Committee and James Payne, Your Pontypridd BID Projects Officer
Projects Officer James Payne talked with Jan and Tristan, the owners of the recently opened Crafty Card Shack in Pontypridd Market Quarter, a quirky craft, card and balloon shop bought by Jan after a traumatic few years, Jan recently recovered after a battle with cancer and her husband Tristan was made redundant due to the Covid-19 pandemic shortly after being furloughed. In an inspiring story, the couple have opened one of only a few independent shops in Pontypridd that sell craft goods, cards and balloons. I asked them about their experiences so far! Good morning Jan and Tristan, firstly can you tell me about Crafty Card Shack, what you specialise in and how the idea came about? Jan: We specialise mainly in cards and balloons, I am also an avid crafter and after seeing Churchills recently close, we spotted a gap in the market in Pontypridd, and we decided to open a craft shop. We stock a great range of craft goods here too. Tristan: We are one of very few craft shops in the area, we also make things to order such as pre-ordered cards, personalised gifts such as gin glasses and we are also looking to do personalised mugs. Jan: We are also looking to introduce personalised balloons, if people need them for occasions such as birthdays, christenings etc. Continues below
Trivallis, a registered social landlord with over 10,000 homes across South Wales, has launched a Community Investment Fund to support groups and projects in the communities where its tenants live. The Trivallis Community Investment Fund, which is managed and promoted by independent charity Community Foundation Wales, is split into two streams; a fast track grant for up to £1,000 and a larger grant from £1,001 to £5,000. Trivallis’ Community Investment Fund grants are designed for use by constituted community groups and voluntary organisations on projects that meet at least one of the following themes: social inclusion, health and wellbeing, learning and employability, or sustainable environmental improvements. Tracey Cooke, senior manager of partnerships at Trivallis, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has really highlighted the importance of communities working together to support one another and keep each other safe. At Trivallis we are passionate about being more than a landlord and work hard to give back to our communities. We want to build on the incredible community spirit we have in South Wales and support people to live happy and prosperous lives. “In the past, we have supported groups and organisations such as Rhondda Radio, Lee Gardens Pool and All Stars Gymnastics with grants and have seen them achieve great things. Now, working in partnership with Community Foundation Wales, we are delighted to offer the Trivallis Community Investment Fund, which will allow us to continue to support great projects in the communities where our tenants live.” Anyone interested in applying for the Trivallis Community Investment Fund should visit https://communityfoundationwales.org.uk/grants/trivallis-community-investment-fund and schedule a conversation with a Grants Officer to discuss their project idea and check for eligibility. There is also an online application form available on the site. Andrea Powell, director of programmes at Community Foundation Wales said: “We are very excited to be partnering with Trivallis to manage and promote the Trivallis Community Investment Fund. “We look forward to working with groups in Rhondda Cynon Taf to better understand the opportunities and challenges they face and to help them improve the lives of local people and solve problems that are important to their communities.” For more information on the eligibility criteria for the Trivallis Community Investment Fund, visit: https://communityfoundationwales.org.uk/grants/trivallis-community-investment-fund/
Following the First Minister's announcement on the 12th of March, hairdressers and barbers can reopen for appointments only from Monday 15th March. Please find details of hairdressers and barbers taking bookings in Pontypridd below. Downtown Barbers, 14 Market Street You can call, text or WhatsApp on 07907 072000 or use the book now button on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/downtownbarbersponty Diamond Fadez Barbershop, 108 Taff Street Call 07473 857552 to make appointment. The Hair Centre, 3 Church Street Bookings being taken after 9am on Monday, salon will re-open on Tuesday 16th of March. Call 01443 480421 to book. Ghekko Rags Lost Boys Barbers, 7 Taff Street Book via the link HERE Lazarou Hair and Beauty Salon, 9 Market Street Call them 01443492711 to book an appointment or you can message them via their app, Facebook or Instagram Georges Grooming Room, 8 High Street Call them on 07956867379 or message them via their Facebook page La Chop, 5c Market Street Call on 01443 405055. The salon owner will also be in the salon Saturday 13th of March between 10am-2pm to book appointments or answer queries. Legends Hair and Beauty, 1 Crossbrook Street Call 07450881888 after 12.30pm to make an appointment.
Businesses in Pontypridd Town Centre have voted in favour of plans to renew the Business Improvement District (BID), securing £387,000 to be spent on further improving the area over the new five-year term. The positive result follows 12 months of planning and consultation with businesses to review the current initiatives of the BID and collate new ideas for the next five years. The suggestions were all considered to form a new Business Plan which led to a month-long ballot in which businesses in the area were asked to vote on the proposals. 83% of businesses by number and 81% by aggregate rateable value voted in favour of the BID (overall turnout was 42%). As a result of the yes vote the renewed Business Improvement District plan will come into effect on 1st April 2021. Businesses with a rateable value of £5000 or above will pay a levy based upon their rateable value, creating a collective fund of more than £380,000 to spend over the next five years. The plans were spearheaded and driven by a steering group of business representatives from across the area, supported by The Means, who specialise in Place Making Consultancy and have helped develop and deliver Business Improvement Districts across the UK. Projects Officer for Your Pontypridd Business Improvement District James Payne said: “We are delighted with this result and the support we’ve received from our local business community during what will be one of the most difficult periods businesses will ever have to face, we are determined to work with our members and invest in initiatives to welcome back all staff, visitors and residents to a town which has so much potential moving forward.” Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn MS said: “Transforming towns across Wales and making them fit for the 21st century is a priority for the Welsh Government. BIDs can play a key part in regenerating areas by providing businesses with a collective single voice, supporting economic growth and strengthening communities. It is great to see businesses in Pontypridd supporting Your Pontypridd BID for a further term, as effective BIDS have a proven track record of driving local change and managing high streets and town centres.” The vision and objectives for Your Pontypridd Term 2 will be delivered through four themes: A safer Pontypridd A more accessible and attractive Pontypridd A better promoted Pontypridd A stronger voice to support Pontypridd businesses. A SAFER PONTYPRIDD Working towards a safe and secure environment which will benefit businesses, residents, workers and visitors. We will work with agencies and partners to create a pleasant environment. A MORE ACCESSIBLE AND ATTRACTIVE PONTYPRIDD Creating a more accessible and attractive Pontypridd through parking initiatives, better signage, tackling empty shops, adding colour to the town, promoting a café culture, and making the BID area more inclusive. A BETTER PROMOTED PONTYPRIDD Build on successful promotions by working with partners to bring more events to the town centre, better promotion of independent businesses and joint-up marketing of the BID area & developing loyalty schemes to encourage spend in members’ businesses. A STRONGER VOICE TO SUPPORT PONTYPRIDD BUSINESSES Continue to represent levy payers on local and national issues affecting the BID area, have a say on major developments such as the YMCA, former Bingo Hall site and South Wales Metro, and continue to be the main point of contact when businesses need support with business rates, grants, funding, and other issues affecting them. The BID will deliver the new objectives of the business plan over the next five years as a result of the yes vote. Our business plan for the new five-year term is available to read and download here: https://www.yourpontypridd.co.uk/back-the-bid For any questions or further information please email info@yourpontypridd.co.uk
