CAERPHILLY County Borough Council is set to trial a new town centre management group in an attempt to engage more with local businesses.

A 12-month trial of the new group was approved by the council’s cabinet in a meeting on Wednesday, November 10.

The group will cover the town centres of Bargoed, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Risca and Ystrad Mynach.

Council leader Philippa Marsden described the new model of the town centre management group as “refreshing”.

The town centre management group was first created in 1996 and revised in 2012, but has not held a meeting since April 2019.

The new group will hold breakfast events and evening meetings at various businesses across the town centres in an effort to engage with local businesses.

Council deputy leader Jamie Pritchard said: “This is an overdue report. Local business engagement is fundamental to the town centre management group.”

Cllr Pritchard said he was pleased that meetings were to be held in town centres across the borough, because it would be easier for business owners to attend.

Some of the matters discussed at the meetings will include regeneration projects and initiatives, training and development opportunities, and cyber security and technology support for businesses.

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Cllr Ross Whiting, cabinet member for learning, said that he looked forward to seeing the results of the trial.

Council officer Rhian Kyte, Head of Regeneration and Planning, said the new town centre management group aims to provide local businesses with opportunities to access funding.

The trial is set to begin in January 2022.