The former Wilko store on Holton Road in Barry, closed since 2023, could be brought back into use as an events space under new plans submitted by Vale of Glamorgan Council.
The council purchased the building in January 2026 using a £1m Welsh Government loan, approved by its cabinet in July 2025. The unit has remained vacant for more than a year.
Interim use proposed
Planning documents submitted to the council's own planning department propose using the vacant store as an “events space” for a year. The documents state: “The Vale of Glamorgan Council purchased the unit formally in January 2026 to support the regeneration and long-term vitality of the town centre. The re-use would bring a key vacant frontage back into active use, strengthening economic activity, community engagement, and local pride in place.”
They add: “The unit is located within the Barry town centre and as such the current vacant use does little to support the viability and vitality of the town centre.”
Previous potential uses
Earlier council papers raised potential uses including pop-up events, workshops, engagement activities, and evening events. The current application is only for interim use while plans for a permanent future use are “developed further”.
The temporary use is hoped to “help bring an active frontage to this entire block to contribute to the footfall to Barry town centre and the wider economy”.
Lack of private interest
A marketing report attached to the application says there was little interest from private businesses before the council took over. It reads: “During this period, demand from occupiers for a unit of this size and nature remained very limited.”
It adds: “Given the increasing occupational costs faced by retailers, including rising employment and energy costs, together with broader economic challenges, it is unlikely that the property would have secured a tenant on viable commercial terms had it remained available to let.”
Cllr Ian Johnson, a councillor for the centre of Barry and leader of the Plaid Cymru group, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I’m pleased that there is further progress in bringing Wilko’s back to life, with the ultimate aim of increasing footfall in this part of Holton Road by turning the site into an indoor market.”
He added: “It’s nearly a year since the Vale Council made their initial announcement about purchasing the shop, and a lot of work has gone into the project, including a number of recent pop-up events. It’s always frustrating when a large private sector landlord leaves such a large empty [site] in the middle of a shopping centre, so the Vale council has done the right thing in using Welsh Government funding to invest in Barry town centre. I think we’re all looking forward to the day when we have a fully-fledged flagship indoor market in the middle of Barry, and I hope the council will now be able to move quickly on this.”
