Events

In March 2026 DCFW supported the facilitation of the Wales Town Booster Programme Pilot funded by Welsh Government. In this webinar we will bring together David Engwicht from Creative Communities who delivered the programme and the three local authorities involved to share more about how it went.  The webinar will:

• Showcase the achievements of the pilot programme.
• Reflect on the successes and challenges of the approach.
• Share thoughts and proposals for what happens next including how local authorities have implemented changes.
• Answer questions about the programme.

This is a great chance for other local authorities and placemaking practitioners to find out more and learn from the pilot experience.

The Town Booster initiative was developed by Creative Communities International and led by placemaking practitioner David Engwicht. Through a Welsh Government-commissioned pilot overseen by the Design Commission for Wales, it was adapted to a Welsh context and undertaken in three towns. The programme is based on the idea that short, intensive periods of community-led activity can transform both the physical environment and perceptions of place.

The programme centred on a one-week process involving workshops with local authorities, town councils, businesses and residents, culminating in a ‘makeover day’. This involves low-cost interventions to improve the look, feel and social function of town centres. Beyond physical changes, the programme builds community confidence, encourages businesses to attract footfall, and supports local authorities to take a more enabling role. It demonstrates that regeneration can begin immediately, even with limited resources.

Speakers:

• David Engwicht, Creative Communities
• Karen Williams, Blaenau Gwent CBC
• Nicola Sumner-Smith, Vale of Glamorgan Council
• Abigail Pilling, Abergele Town Council

In advance of the webinar please take a look at this video of the process undertaken in Llantwit Major to get a flavour of what the programme is all about.