Levelling Up rejection: Local councillor says ‘Tories have taken Wrecsam for a ride’
The councillor who has the Racecourse in his ward has reacted to the news Wrexham’s Levelling Up bid has been rejected.
Last night we reported that the ‘Levelling Up’ bid for the Wrexham Gateway project had been rejected by UK Government for a second time.
A statement has been issued by Wrexham’s Plaid Group in reaction to the Levelling Up news, “The news that Wrecsam’s Gateway project is not getting Levelling up Funding from the UK Tory Government is a sign that even London has given up on keeping the seat at the next General Election.”
“Levelling Up Funding was targetted at Tory seats, many of them won unexpectedly in 2019. Clwyd South won funding worth £13.3m last year for the Pontycysyllte Aquaduct and Dee Valley area.”
Cllr Marc Jones, who represents the Grosvenor ward that includes the Racecourse ground, said last night: “I think the Tories have taken Wrecsam for a ride – how many photo opportunities has Atherton, Jacob Rees-Mogg and other Tories had on the back of the promise of millions of funding for this scheme? Now that they’ve decided to spend the money elsewhere, it’s clear that even the Tories have given up on Atherton keeping the seat.
“Work has already begun on the Kop redevelopment and I’m sure the owners will have a plan in place to make sure that comes to fruition. I’m more concerned that the overall development – which included the promise of a new hotel, office space and jobs – will now be stalled because Wrexham is not a priority for the UK Government.
“Tonight we’re all Paul Mullin’s boots.”
Cllr Jones added he is in touch with Wrexham Council’s Chief Executive Ian Bancroft to discover more about the mooted ‘Plan B’ and offer support to enable the entire Wrexham Gateway project to proceed.
Last night Wrexham’s MP Sarah Atherton told us, “Wrexham Council submitted two bids for the Levelling Up Fund. The first, £13.3 million for the Trevor Basin, Llangollen and Corwen Bid and the second for the Wrexham Gateway Bid. Given that Wrexham Council chose to submit two bids, it is not unreasonable that only one was successful. It is important to note that in the past few years, with the help of the UK Government, Wrexham has been awarded Platinum City status, was runner-up in the 2025 City of Culture and has been awarded £22.4 million from the Shared Prosperity Fund.”
“Of course, whilst it is disappointing that the Wrexham Gateway bid hasn’t been successful this time, I will continue to work with Wrexham Council, Glyndwr University, and Wrexham AFC to prepare for resubmission in Round three. In the meantime, we will work together to promote and raise Wrexham.”
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