Once a thriving shopping centre where thousands flocked, Festival Park in Ebbw Vale was left abandoned and in disarray, its shops deserted and its once-busy walkways now overgrown with vegetation. The eerie sight of the deserted shopping centre evoked a sense of loss among locals, who remembered its heyday with nostalgia. Speculation swirled about the future of the 70-acre site, fenced off from public view, as it seemed to fade into obscurity.
But now, after years of neglect, a transformation is underway at Festival Park. The rows of empty shops, once home to well-known brands like Costa, Marks & Spencer, and Nike, are being repurposed into industrial units. The site has been revamped to accommodate 24 industrial units, totaling 84,202 sq ft, offering space for local and national businesses as well as logistics operators. This redevelopment marks a new chapter for the once-decaying shopping centre.
The journey towards revitalising Festival Park began in August 2021 when Mercia Real Estate Ltd purchased the site. The Birmingham-based company has been hard at work transforming the derelict space into a thriving business centre, aiming to create job opportunities and breathe new life into the area. The plans, approved by the local council, align with the Tech Valleys vision and seek to attract both local businesses and external investment projects.
Local councillor John C Morgan expressed optimism about the development, highlighting its role in supporting business start-ups, indigenous businesses, and job creation within the community. Mercia Real Estate Ltd CEO Samuel Clark echoed this sentiment, emphasising the diverse range of business activities the new site could accommodate. The revamped Festival Park is envisioned as an attractive hub for both existing and prospective businesses.
The resurgence of Festival Park holds significance beyond its economic impact. The site’s history, from hosting steel and tin works to the 1992 British National Garden Festival, reflects its deep-rooted connection to the community. Despite years of decline and failed attempts to revive the shopping centre, the current redevelopment signals a fresh start for the area. The transformation aims to honour the site’s heritage while paving the way for a new era of growth and prosperity.
The revival of Festival Park serves as a beacon of hope for the community, signalling a renaissance for the once-forgotten shopping centre. While its days as a bustling retail destination may be in the past, the prospect of a vibrant business hub offers renewed potential for the site. As industrial units replace empty storefronts, Festival Park is poised to reclaim its status as a hub of activity and innovation, breathing new life into the heart of Ebbw Vale.