BANGOR city centre is to receive more than £600,000 from the Welsh Government in a bid to secure its future.
A taskforce will work to challenge the city's decline, increase footfall, support businesses and attract investment to strengthen its long-term vitality.
Bangor will receive £654,000 for public realm improvements in total.
A further £350,000 has been confirmed to support the future regeneration of the Rhiw Shopping Centre in Bridgend.
Tamsin Ramasut and Professor Simon Gibson will lead the taskforce, which will provide practical, expert advice 'on supporting the future of Wales's town centres'.
Their appointment delivers on a Government commitment to establish the taskforce within its first 100 days.
Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Siân Gwenllian, said: "Town centres remain at the heart of communities across Wales. They are places where people work, access services, spend time with family and friends and take part in civic and cultural life.
"However, they continue to face significant challenges as a result of changing consumer behaviour, economic pressures and the evolving role town centres play in everyday life.
"That's why we are establishing this taskforce to champion the future of Welsh town centres.
"It will identify actions to help challenge decline, encourage changes in use to increase footfall, support Welsh businesses, attract investment and strengthen the long-term vitality of towns and city centres."
Ms Ramasut is an experienced regeneration, placemaking and community engagement practitioner. Through her work with Pont Collective and previous roles, she has supported the delivery of regeneration projects and place-based initiatives across Wales and beyond.
Professor Gibson is a long-time facilitator of Welsh innovation.
As the founder of Alacrity and previous leadership roles in Wesley Clover, Ubiquity Software and the Welsh Development Agency, he has helped attract investment, support entrepreneurship and drive business growth across Wales, experience that will be invaluable to the Taskforce's work.
The chairs will work with members from business, government, regeneration, planning, academia and communities.
The announcement was made during a visit to Welsh Government funded projects in Bangor city centre, where £654,000 for public realm improvements was confirmed
Ms Ramasut said: “I'm honoured to co-Chair this national task force.
"Town centres are central to thriving communities-places where people connect, local businesses grow and provide employment and create a sense of belonging.
"I'm looking forward to working collaboratively to help our town centres thrive across Wales.”
Professor Gibson said: "Our town centres are vital to communities and local economies across Wales, yet they face significant challenges that demand urgent action and fresh thinking.
"I am pleased to co-chair this Taskforce, which brings together leaders from across sectors to develop innovative, practical solutions that remove barriers to growth, preserve presence and help create more vibrant, resilient town centres fit for the 21st Century."
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