Cwmbran Centre facts for kids
The Llewelyn Walk entrance
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| Location | Cwmbran, Torfaen, Wales |
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| Coordinates | 51°39′13″N 3°01′17″W / 51.65354°N 3.02139°W |
| Opening date | 1959 |
| Owner | Prudential plc |
| No. of anchor tenants | 7 |
| Parking | 3,000 |
Cwmbran Centre is a large shopping area, office space, and leisure complex in the town of Cwmbran, Torfaen, Wales. It used to be known as Cwmbran Shopping. The centre officially changed its name to Cwmbran Centre on July 3, 2017.
Cwmbran was built as a "New Town," which means it was carefully planned from scratch. The town centre was designed as part of this big plan. Today, Cwmbran Centre is the second largest shopping area in all of Wales.
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History of Cwmbran Centre
The Cwmbran Development Corporation created the main plan for the new town. This plan included seven neighborhoods with local services and homes. These areas were all close to the town centre.
In the early years, many houses were built, but there weren't enough shops or services. So, in 1959, construction began on the main shopping area. Ideas for its design had started back in 1951. The town centre was built specifically for shopping by the Development Corporation. It has been the main place for shopping in Torfaen ever since.
Early Developments
North Walk and Gwent Square were the first parts of the centre to be built. General Rees Square was named after General Wynford Rees. He was a commander in the British Indian Army and the first manager of the Cwmbran Development Corporation. This square had the South Wales Electricity Board and the Post Office.
In 1964, a large department store called David Evans opened. From 1967 to 1972, the town centre grew quickly. New buildings like the Tower, Glyndwr, Monmouth, and Gwent Houses opened. Monmouth Square and the Water Garden were also built. A cinema, theatre, social club, police station, and court also opened during this time.
Growth and New Stores
More big stores came to Cwmbran Centre. Woolco opened in 1975, and Sainsbury's followed in 1976. Sainsbury's later moved in 1994, and an Asda store now stands on its original site. Marks and Spencer opened in 1977 but closed in 2019.
The last building constructed before the centre was sold in 1985 was a bingo hall in Monmouth Walk. Transport links improved when Cwmbran Railway Station reopened in 1986. Cwmbran Drive opened in 1988, helping the centre grow even more.
In the 1990s, Lockgate Retail Park opened. This was built on old land once used by a company called Guest, Keen & Nettlefold. Aldi and Lidl also opened stores in Forgehammer. In 2013, Morrisons opened to the east of the centre.
Cwmbran Centre Today
Today, Prudential plc owns Cwmbran Centre. It is home to many well-known High Street shops from the UK. The biggest store in the centre is Asda, which opened in 2001. It is located where the original J. Sainsbury's store used to be.
There are over 170 shops and places to visit at Cwmbran Centre. Some of the popular stores include Argos, Barclays, The Body Shop, HMV, House of Fraser, HSBC, Iceland, KFC, Matalan, McDonald's, NatWest, New Look, Pizza Hut, River Island, H. Samuel, Superdrug, Wetherspoon's, W H Smith, Wilko, B&M Bargains, B&Q, Next, Pets at Home, Lidl, Aldi, Primark, and Morrisons.
Future Plans
A new Torfaen Sixth Form Centre is being built. It is expected to open in September 2020. This new centre is located between Morrisons and Meritor. There are also plans for a McDonald's drive-thru in the Morrisons car park. Lidl will also move to a new location on Somerset Road.
Plans have also been submitted to update Gwent and Monmouth Squares. These areas have not been changed since they were built in the 1970s.
