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Circular economy application for Buckley

Published: 09/12/2020

In November, Welsh Government invited Local Authorities to make an application to the ‘Green Recovery Circular Economy Fund 2020-21’ to fund a project that would promote community cohesion through repair and re-use initiatives while providing an opportunity to support the regeneration of our town centres. 

Flintshire County Council, working in partnership with Groundwork North Wales and Refurbs Flintshire, has submitted an application to bring a Repair & Reuse Centre, with a café, in to the heart of Buckley town centre. 

The long term aim of the project is to promote education and behavioural change on waste and recycling initiatives, providing volunteering opportunities and employment for local people, the creation of an attractive and interesting venue in the heart of the town centre, while supporting the strategic regeneration plan of the town and most importantly creating a place for the community to come together. 

The former HSBC bank, located on the high street, has been identified as the preferred location for this venue. This proposal would see this property put back into use for the benefit of the immediate, and wider, community encouraging increased footfall into the town centre.

Centred around the hospitality of a relaxed café environment, the initial services to be offered under the proposal include:

• Repair of small household items;
• Demonstrations on basic repairs/upcycling techniques which can be replicated at home;
• Information on how to donate unwanted household items that can be refurbished for sale or recycled; 
• Workshops and volunteering activities to create saleable pieces for the café from recycled materials or unwanted items;
• Displaying purchasable items produced from recycled materials.

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside, Councillor Carolyn Thomas, said:

“I welcome the news that a bid has been submitted to bring such an exciting and interesting initiative to Buckley town centre. A facility such as this supports many Council priorities, such as promoting community cohesion, supporting town centre regeneration and assisting with the promotion of waste and recycling initiative to ensure Wales moves toward a Circular Economy. I look forward to receiving a positive outcome to this bid application.” 

Groundworks/Refurbs said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Flintshire County Council on this exciting new venture which will create jobs and volunteering opportunities for local people, whilst assisting in the regeneration of Buckley town centre through a repair and re-use initiative.”

Flintshire County Council will be informed of the outcome of this application in early January 2021.