Gavin & Stacey holiday resort given makeover

The seaside town where hit TV comedy Gavin & Stacey was set is being transformed into a community venue.

Work to the former Butlins holiday camp at Barry Island, which closed 17 years ago, will start immediately with the first phase worth £692,000, the BBC reports.

According to ITV News, a space will be created to host local events and a temporary car park will be built. Some money will be used to improve the design of the holiday resort.

Improvements in other areas, like the eastern promenade, are also being discussed to boost tourism.

Barry Island has been popular with tourists for about 150 years. The Butlins holiday camp opened in 1966, but shut in 1996.

The Welsh holiday resort gained new fame when it featured in BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey, a series about the romance between a Barry Island girl and an Essex boy.

Huw Lewis, the Minister for Regeneration, said: 'This first phase of works marks the start of redeveloping the former Butlins site on Barry island which is integral to the overall regeneration of Barry.

'It will have far-reaching benefits for the whole of Barry and the surrounding area by providing additional facilities for residents and day visitors.'

The Welsh government said it had committed £6.5m towards 35 projects in Barry since 2010.

Mr Lewis added: 'Barry has a great deal to offer in terms of its natural assets such as the Blue Flag beach at Whitmore Bay, Jackson's Bay and the stunning views from Nell's Point and Friar's Point and the Welsh government is helping to ensure both residents and visitors get the most out of the area's resources.'

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