We will soon know whether visitors from all over the United Kingdom visiting Barry Island this summer will be looking at a shabby derelict site or a top class fairground beginning to take shape.
The Barry Island fairground project has become the symbolic feature in Barry during the re-invigoration of the largest town in Wales. The prospect of seeing many millions of pounds being invested in Barry, and more importantly industry expertise come to the Island is incredibly exciting. For many months I have done all I can to encourage the project along, and seen a great deal of effort put in by all parties.
I have yet to meet a local resident that doesn’t want to see the fairground site transformed into a site that can generate positive interest in the town. It has been a very complicated project to bring together, but the end is now in sight and I am just hopeful that common sense can prevail along with a sense of ambition for Barry Island. And what a shot in the arm it would be for the local economy?
The businesses in Barry can share in the success of a new fairground, and I am certain that many new job opportunities will be created. I would recommend for youngsters to grab an opportunity of working on a high quality fairground – the people skills that youngsters can gain are endless, and those same skills can be then used in any future career.
I invited Henry Danter, the showman hoping to run the attraction, to meet the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer recently to explain his plans. It was a very positive meeting. Just like the meeting held with FocusBarry group recently, Mr Danter showed so much passion for Barry and told us how his entire family are supporting the project. David Cameron and George Osborne both listened to the plans with great interest, and wished him good luck with getting the project off the ground. They have seen how other coastal towns like Brighton have been re-invigorated, and what a difference an operator with drive and ambition can make – that is what I want for Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan.
I have visited a number of schools recently and the number one question from pupils has been about the Pleasure Park. The next generation setting out in their career are interested in the jobs or starting businesses, and understanding how we can return Barry Island to the place that their parents remember. We are close to securing that. It has been a difficult process but with the right people involved it can be done. The views at Barry Island take my breath away every time, and I hope the summer of 2015 can be one of the busiest in decades. It would be wonderful.