Encourage street entertainment and town centre activity
The role of events is recognised as being an important driver of Town Centre regeneration in Bridgend through the introduction of colour, interest and vitality to the streetscene; increased numbers of visitors at the events and existing retail facilities; Town Centre image and place marketing of Bridgend as a place to live, work or invest; and social benefits through the sense of pride in an area and community and volunteer participation in the staging of events.
Bridgend Town Centre is fortunate to have a foundation on which to build. Bridgend Festivals Committee has developed the experience to take a major role in the delivery of an annual events programme. For example, the annual Continental Market is amongst the largest in the United Kingdom and it is found that this event alone can increase footfall in the Town Centre by over 30% compared to equivalent weeks in previous years.
Bridgend County Borough Council works in partnership with the Bridgend Festivals Committee to organise events in the town centre throughout the year. These include: Continental Market (April), Midsummer Madness Festival (June), Bridgend County Show (July), Festival of Wales (September), and the series of Christmas festivals and events featuring a French Market and a host of other events during December. More information on the events can be obtained by contacting the Bridgend Festivals Office (Tel: 01656 661338) or following the link to the Bridgend Festivals Committee web-site www.bridgend-events.co.uk.
