Penarth residents, businesses and community groups are invited by the Vale council to share ideas on how to further improve the seafront and surrounding area. 

A programme of engagement and discussion will begin this week with a series of online polls and the opportunity for people to share their thoughts online and using an ideas board at Penarth Pier Pavilion.  

The ideas board will be in place from Wednesday, August 17. 

These will inform a more formal survey exercise and a series of in-person engagement events in the early autumn.  

The council hopes to then consult on specific plans developed in response to the feedback it receives by the end of the year. 

Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "Penarth seafront has changed in recent years. Investment into the pier, roads, pavement, and street lighting has improved the look of the resort. 

"While new opportunities for cafes and restaurants to trade and the reopening of the Pavilion and The Kymin have changed the feel. 

"We now want to go further and continue to develop the seafront into a thriving year-round resort and a unique place to live. 

"The Vale of Glamorgan Council will be working closely with Penarth Town Council and wants to hear from as many people as possible. 

"We are very deliberately not presenting any plans for the seafront at this early stage. The next phase of Penarth's development should be led by those that have made the Esplanade such a success in recent years.  

"That's why we are starting a conversation with local residents, groups and businesses to help shape our future plans." 

Cllr Burnett continued: "We have today (August 15) written directly to all seafront businesses and residents. All views are welcome at this stage and these will be gathered online as well as in person.  

"As our programme of engagement progresses, we will also be seeking the views of other local traders and community groups, as well as those of Penarth residents. 

"As themes emerge from these initial conversations, we will look to expand these into a plan to support the continued development of a thriving seafront for all." 

The Vale council has invested more than £500,000 in Penarth Pier Pavilion and the Esplanade in the last two years.  

The extension of existing outdoor trading licences for businesses at Penarth seafront was agreed upon by the council's cabinet in June 2022.