Don't waste the opportunity...

The news that John Dew -  the individual sent by the WAG to advise CCBC on their Office Accommodation proposals - has recommended that the Council extend their offices at Bodlondeb and the Civic Centre and don't build their new offices in the centre of Colwyn Bay is a welcome shot in the arm for those who believe Colwyn Bay and Rhos still have a significant capability to attract visitors and should not be throwing in the beach towel just yet.

This means the regeneration grant will not now be needed for the short-sighted proposals to turn Colwyn Bay into a large office block and could be applied to some of the more exciting and ambitious projects being put forward by various folk, not least our good friend Cllr John Oddy.

But there's a catch.

Bethan Jones, Director of Regeneration and Improvement, is now moving to Denbighshire, and that means her loyalties will naturally be towards her new employers and not us.  Her inside knowledge of our grant proposals give her an edge, but all is not lost. The meeting tomorrow night of the Colwyn Bay Town Council is now imbued with an urgency and importance even greater than it had before. The council has now to decide how the money - all of it - ought to be best used to bring the maximum benefits for the folk in Colwyn Bay.

This blog has long argued that those who preach there is no future for CB in tourism need to wake up or shut up.  UK tourism has increased dramatically in the past 12 months and the trend to take stay-at-home holidays shows no sign of abating.  Tourists, however, need to be attracted, and the beaches alone won't cut it.  The possibilities and suggestions being made by some extremely far-sighted folk, such as Cllr Oddy, are numerous and well thought out, but they need investment.  Now is the time to look at the big projects - the imaginative projects - the ones that will stay for many years and make a real, substantive difference to the town. It's rare enough in these straightened times that money is available;  we must not waste this opportunity.

Contact your local councillor today and ask them what they're going to do about it.