Renovation work to the Old Hall façade started this week after waiting two years for funding from the Welsh Government's 'Transforming Towns' programme.

Trees and bushes were removed from the Old Hall façade last week for the main works to begin on February 21.

Matt Jones, 46, a structural engineer and managing director of Vale Consultancy, who are working on the revamp alongside the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Cowbridge Charter Trust, told Nub News: "It's really the uneven paving and the benches which, affectively, they're not fit for purpose.

"So, we need to remove them and the trees there are causing structural damage, even though they were planted not that long ago," said Matt.

Vale Consultancy is working with Vale Courses, who occupy the Old Hall, to decide how they want to use the space. "They [Vale Courses] very much want to use it as a flexible space, particularly with a pop-up shop and for potentially putting some stalls out," said Matt.

"It's about bringing the elevation of the Old Hall to focus because now, it's quite dark in there due to the trees. The Old Hall is also a listed building, so the grant funding will also help with the cleaning and repairs to the stone and repainting it."

New seating along the high street will also be installed as part of the project, as well as new planters and bike stands. "We're bringing in three mature, ornamental trees, and the council are also doing a replacement planting scheme," said Matt.

The project is due to be completed in time for the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival on April 17 and 18.