College Menai students meet local MP and have their say in the future of Bangor

As Part of ‘Bangor, What Next’, the students met Claire at the college’s Bangor campus to share their ideas on how the city centre could be further developed.

Students got to have their say on what they would like to see happening in Bangor city centre, such as building on existing ideas like the indoor food market, housing or building on the success of the Bangor Summer Festival.

Claire asked learners to imagine themselves as tourists visiting the city for the first time and what they would want to see.

Some of the ideas students put forward whilst chatting to Claire included more events in the city centre, more international restaurants and shops, indoor entertainment for young people and attractions to bring tourists in.

Level 2 Travel, Tourism and business learner Maria commented: “Bangor has become a very diverse place of late so it would be great to see more cultural events.”

Claire Hughes, Labour MP for Bangor Aberconwy, said:

“It was brilliant to talk to young people at Coleg Menai about Bangor. It’s really important that their voices are heard when we are talking about regeneration and things that people want to see in the city centre. I’m grateful to them all for giving their time and look forward to coming back to them with some feedback on how we take these ideas forward.”

Gwnennan Richards, Assistant Principal at Coleg Menai, said:

“It’s wonderful to see our learners getting involved with the future of their local area.The opportunity to meet a member of parliament gave them a chance to play an active role in their community and a platform to voice their opinion, whilst building key employability skills such as communication and networking.”