TECHNIQUEST Glyndŵr has confirmed it will be moving into the empty former TJ Hughes building in the town centre thanks to a major funding boost.

The move will enable the science centre to make use of the much larger premises to offer an ambitious programme of science events, along with a much wider selection of interactive exhibits, to the public and schools from across North Wales and North West England.

The £2.8million project includes £1.75million grant funding awarded by the Inspiring Science Fund and £750,000 from Welsh Government’s Targeted Regeneration Investment programme.

The scheme is co-funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome.

The bid for funding had the support of several key agencies in Wrexham including Wrexham Glyndŵr University and Wrexham Council who have been supporting the regeneration of the town centre.

The plans received widespread public support, demonstrated by the large numbers of local people who visited the temporary science centre pop up over the summer months of 2018 when it was open during Wrexham’s series of monthly street festivals.

The Leader:

Town centre businesses have also expressed their approval to create a new town centre attraction which they see will help with the long-term economic future of the town.

The award of the funding begins an intensive 12-month period during which the town centre building will be purchased and converted into a fully operational science discovery centre to replace the existing centre on the Plas Coch Campus of Wrexham Glyndŵr University.

Scot Owen, Techniquest Glyndŵr Centre Manager said: “We’re thrilled to have secured the future of Techniquest Glyndŵr within the heart of our community here in Wrexham.

“This move has been part of our vision for quite some time and now we’re able to actively begin to put our plans in place.

“Techniquest Glyndŵr is committed to Wrexham and the town centre community, which goes hand in hand with inspiring young minds through STEM subjects. Having somewhere so embedded within the community will only be a positive for all.

“We now continue to look forward in what is a very exciting time for both ourselves and Wrexham as a whole, with a fantastic opportunity to create something special for our region.”

Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council said: “This is excellent news for Techniquest Glyndŵr and the town centre. It will really open up this part of town once again and I would like to both congratulate staff and all the partners involved and thank them for their hard work and collaboration in securing this funding.

“The development will be part of the town centre regeneration which will see the Henblas Street and Chester Street areas brought into residential and retail use.

“With an announcement expected soon about the former BHS store the future is looking bright for this area of town.”

Lynda Powell, director of North Wales Science said: “This is absolutely great news – for Techniquest Glyndŵr, for Wrexham town centre, and for STEM in North and Mid Wales.

“This funding will help secure Techniquest Glyndŵr in a key town centre location – one which is seeing a range of private and public sector investment. The development will be a key part of the regeneration of our town centre.

Ian Lucas MP added: "I welcome the announcement of this very exciting and ambitious project. I'm thrilled it is going ahead. 

“It opens up major benefits in the regeneration of the town centre, while also encouraging interest in scientific innovation among young people.

“The development is on an important site, with great potential, and I'd like to congratulate Scot and his team at Techniquest Glyndwr on having such a far-sighted vision for Wrexham. 

“This is a prime example of what can be achieved with collaboration, vision and hard work."