Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Siân Gwenllian MS makes case for future of Bangor town centre
Siân Gwenllian, who represented Bangor as part of the Arfon constituency until the boundary changes at the May 2026 election, used her speech to reaffirm the importance of town centres across Wales.
Now Welsh Government Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Siân said that Bangor remained an important example of the role town centres play in supporting local communities.
Speaking at Plaid Cymru’s Annual Conference at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, she said:
“I want to reaffirm our commitment to our town centres. Plaid Cymru rejects the idea that our town centres are somehow no longer relevant.
“Our town centres and High Streets are the backbone of Wales, from Bangor to Barry, and everywhere in between.”
Siân highlighted action already being taken by the Welsh Government, including regeneration schemes for Bangor and other Welsh towns.
She said:
“I have already announced the Town Centre Taskforce under two talented co-chairs in Tamsin Ramasut and Professor Simon Gibson. But we are already acting as a government to put our money where our mouth is.”
The Minister also confirmed that regeneration schemes for Bangor, Wrexham, Newport and Bridgend had been approved, with further schemes in the pipeline.
She added:
“After years of Westminster austerity and global change, we in Plaid Cymru will not forget the pride and value our town centres provide for our communities.”
Siân also set out her commitment to introducing a Community Right to Buy, giving communities greater opportunities to protect important local assets.
She said:
“We will legislate, to support this, for a Community Right to Buy.”
The Plaid Cymru Annual Conference 2026 is being held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno from 2–3 October.
