Indoor market that was bustling heart of Welsh town smashed to bits and flattened

Demolition is well and truly underway on Caerphilly's old indoor market, a site that was once the bustling heart of the Welsh town. The clearing of the site marks the first visible step in the ambitious Caerphilly Town 2035 placemaking plan, which aims to breathe new life into the town centre.

The £21 million project, led by Linc Cymru, part of the Pobl Group, with support from Caerphilly County Borough Council and the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns programme, promises to deliver 72 apartments, seven commercial units, and public spaces designed to enhance the town's appeal and vibrancy.

Yet for many locals and business owners, the excitement of the future contrasts sharply with the reality of the present. Since the indoor market closed in January 2023, the surrounding area has been described by those who work nearby as "left to die."

Business owners report losing hundreds of pounds in profit each week, as the derelict site has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour. Vandalism is a constant problem, they say, with four-foot weeds overtaking the buildings, shattered glass littering the floor, police tape flapping in the wind, and the lingering smell of cannabis contributing to a sense of decay.

"The area has become an eyesore," one business owner told Pulse Media. "It's not just a building; it's a part of the town that's been forgotten." 

The closure of the old indoor market made way for the modern container-style market, Ffos Caerffili, which opened 18 months later. The new venue, complete with a food court, has quickly established itself as a destination, earning praise from the Sunday Times as one of the UK's best food halls.

While Ffos Caerffili thrives, the old market and its surroundings remain a stark reminder of what happens when parts of a town are neglected. For locals, the question now is whether the promise of the Caerphilly Town 2035 plan can restore life to this long-forgotten corner, or if the old market's derelict shadow will linger a while longer.