REGENERATION funding of more than £2 million could help the blight of empty shops in Monmouth.

The funding allocations have been recommended by placemaking groups which bring together both county and community councillors and local groups across Monmouthshire.

The cash has come from £700,000 from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns fund and a further £1.5m provided by the UK Government’s Pride In Place Impact Fund.

Monmouthshire County Council combined both funds with the placemaking groups deciding which projects should be supported in the county’s main towns.

Monmouth had the single largest allocation, at £500,000, which will be used to bring empty town centre properties back into use, possibly including flood resilience measures following Storm Claudia in November.

Improvements to the bus station will receive £180,000 while other projects include “wayfinding”, such as street signs and maps, and sensors to record footfall, car park usage and air quality.

Among other projects to be supported are a plan to revamp the former Original Factory Shop on Chepstow High Street, which will receive £100,000.

It is intended to bring the building back into use as well as convert the first floor to 10 one bedroom flats.

Other projects supported by Chepstow’s £300,000 allocation include refurbishment of the tourist information centre toilets, a new allotment site in Thornwell and improvements to shopfronts on Bulwark Road.

Caldicot has awarded £150,000 for a replacement skate park next to the town’s leisure centre and will spend £100,000 on lighting, seating, planting, a “pocket park” and play opportunities. £50,000 was also awarded for the refurbishment of the Citizens Advice Bureau.

In Magor and Undy a £265,000 award will support wayfinding and improvements to walking and cycling routes as well improvements to “key gateways” to the village centre such as planting, seating and improvements to Magor Square.