The Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary has experienced a decline in visitors since the closure of the Festival Park shopping centre, which is currently being redeveloped into 39 industrial units. The once-bustling site attracted many families who also visited the nearby owl sanctuary.
Pat Webb, the founder of the owl sanctuary, noted the significant impact of the closure. “The main car park has closed, so when visitors come and see the road closed, it has a good deal of impact on us,” Webb said. “Throughout Covid, we didn’t have visitors, then the shops started closing, and they shut the car park, which has affected us. We had to stop all our school visits as the toilets had closed. We do not get funding or support and we do not charge people to come in. We rely on donations.”
Despite these challenges, Webb emphasized that the sanctuary has no plans to close. With the help of volunteers, they are now trying to raise money for CCTV equipment to enhance security. Previously, they raised £5,106 through a GoFundMe page and continue to seek donations via their Facebook page.
How to Visit and Support the Owl Sanctuary
The Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary is open to visitors seven days a week at Festival Park, Victoria, Ebbw Vale NP23 8FP. Opening times are 10 AM to 4 PM on weekends and school holidays and 10 AM to 2 PM on weekdays during term time. The sanctuary is free to visit and relies on public donations for support.
Festival Park Redevelopment Plans
The redevelopment of Festival Park includes transforming it into 39 industrial units, involving:
- Modification of existing units.
- Removal of canopies.
- Dismantling units to create space for parks, roads, and paths.
- Resurfacing the central mall walkway to create a spine access road.
Additionally, there are plans to include a gym and a nursery for the occupiers of the units and local residents. Mercia Real Estate, which took over the site in 2021, was granted planning permission earlier this year for the redevelopment. The Cardiff office of global property consultant Knight Frank has been appointed to attract tenants to the finished centre.
History of Festival Park
Festival Park opened in 1992 as part of a 1980s Government initiative to counteract the decline of heavy industry. Initially home to several shops, including Marks and Spencer’s outlet, Thorntons, Poundland, Sports Direct, GAP, and a Nike store, it also featured cafes like Costa and Caffè Nero. The site was created in response to the closure of the Ebbw Vale steelworks in 2002 and initially enjoyed celebrity visits from Catherine Zeta-Jones, David Emanuel, and Rob Brydon.