Written Statement: Town Centre Taskforce

On 11 August, I announced the appointment of the Co-Chairs of the Town Centre Taskforce, established to provide practical, expert advice on the future of our town centres. Today, I am pleased to announce the full membership of the Town Centre Taskforce as members come together for its inaugural meeting and begin the next phase of its work.

It brings together expertise and practical experience from across business, academia, local government, regeneration, planning, transport, housing and communities. Working with the co-Chairs, members will consider the challenges and opportunities facing town centres across Wales and help develop practical, evidence-informed recommendations for Welsh Ministers. Over the coming months, the Taskforce will undertake a focused programme of work to inform recommendations to Welsh Ministers in the new year. Our town centres are changing. They are not simply places to shop, but places where people live, work, access services, socialise and participate in civic and cultural life. The challenges facing them are complex and interconnected, and the Taskforce will take a broad view of how town centres can continue to evolve as diverse, mixed-use places that sustain businesses and support communities.

The Taskforce begins its work alongside action already being taken by this Government to support our high streets and town centre businesses. Last week, we announced permanent business rates support which, subject to Senedd approval, will see eligible small and medium-sized hospitality and leisure properties receive a 30% reduction in their rates bills from April 2027.  This will provide greater certainty for businesses to plan and invest for the future, while the Taskforce identifies common challenges facing town centres and develops practical recommendations to support their long-term vitality and resilience. 

I am grateful to all those who have agreed to contribute their time and expertise to this work. Their varied perspectives will be important in ensuring the Taskforce reflects the different challenges and opportunities facing town centres across Wales.

At today's inaugural meeting, members will begin to shape the Taskforce's programme of work. This will include considering its purpose and scope, draft Terms of Reference, evidence and engagement approach, ways of working and immediate priorities. The Taskforce's work will draw on existing evidence alongside the expertise of members and where needed, additional specialist contributors to inform its recommendations, as well as direct insight from businesses, communities and town centre users.

I want the Taskforce to be ambitious but practical. Its purpose is not simply to restate the challenges facing our town centres, but to identify evidence-informed and deliverable recommendations which can help address barriers to their long-term vitality and support their continued evolution. I also want members to challenge Government constructively and help us understand where policy, partnership working or wider system change can make a meaningful difference. 

This is the beginning of an important programme of work. I look forward to working with the co-Chairs and members and to receiving the Taskforce's recommendations on how we can support vibrant, resilient and successful town centres across Wales.