Island Gets Retail Jobs Boost

by Sara Jones
(Bangor)

A major £100 million retail village development at Ty Mawr, near Llanfairpwll, has been given the green light by Anglesey County Council.

The 175,000 sq. ft. development by Ynys Mon Estates on land owned by the Welsh Assembly government had its original application turned down earlier in January, but that decision was overturned by a full council meeting.

A major influence on the decision is the rapid deterioration in the outlook for the local economy with recent job losses at Joloda Hydraroll in Gaerwen and Eaton Electric at Holyhead, as well as growing uncertainty about the propsects for the Anglesey Aluminium smelter also at Holyhead, where around 500 jobs are at risk.

On balance the councillors decided that a strong positive signal was needed to say that the island is ready for new buisness.

The proposed Ty Mawr development is close to the A55 crossing over the Britannia Bridge linking the island to the mainland by rail and road.

Reports suggest there was much bad behaviour in the council chamber as rival councillors tried to push each other out of the chamber.

Chief Executive of Ynys Mon Estates, Carl Lewis welcomed the decision saying that it will bring new jobs to the island and act as a catalyst for growth in the local economy.

The proposals have been subject of intense negotiations and consultation with the Welsh Assembly Government for over 2 years.

Among the proposed attractions on site will be a Cineworld Multiplex cinema.

Opponents have not given up trying to stop the proposal going ahead, and say that legal action is still an option.

Meanwhile across the water in Bangor the decision has been greeted with dismay by the business community and local politicians, who fear it will have a negative knock-on effect on the University city.


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