Town Centre Businesses

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd at 2:08 pm on 9 June 2021.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 2:08, 9 June 2021

I'll be happy to consider all ideas, as well as the approach we're already taking. And the Member will know, from his time when he was still the leader of Monmouthshire, the over £0.5 million in Transforming Towns placemaking grant that's been made to Monmouthshire County Council for this year. So, there are practical steps that are being taken to help support businesses in the here and now, as well as, of course, the approach that we've indicated we're going to take in a town-centre-first approach, and the way we look at future developments and the choices that go across Government. So, in my former role, I was very keen to continue investing in community pharmacy for a variety of reasons, but I certainly had in mind that maintaining a community pharmacy on a high street is important from a footfall point of view for a range of other businesses too, and how we drive more—. So, to make them more accessible from a healthcare point of view also has an impact on the economic future for town centres as well. So, I look forward to working with him, and I'd be more than happy, if he wants to write to me with a range of initiatives we may be able to take, to openly engage with him, not just for Monmouthshire, but of course for every citizen across the country.