THE Vale of Glamorgan Council is hoping to harness the creative power of the region to ensure that the most is made of the newly constructed beach huts at Barry Island when they open this summer.

As part of the work to regenerate the Island’s Eastern Promenade the Council is constructing two sets of twelve brightly coloured beach huts. One set of larger huts will be located near the eastern shelter and a second will be located further along the promenade near the new water feature and toilet block. The beach huts will be available to the public from July and details of how visitors, businesses or residents can hire one will be discussed at a Scrutiny meeting this week, before Cabinet consider the final rental policy.

It is envisaged that the smaller huts will be available to members of the public for hire on a daily basis, with the larger huts being available to hire either on a short or longer term basis by the public and businesses. The times of opening are still being considered as they may be suitable for different uses on different occasions during the year.

Cllr Lis Burnett, the Cabinet Member responsible for regeneration, said: “This is a new venture for the council and it is intended that the beach huts will be hired to members of the public on a daily basis for the vast majority of the time. However, we also want to see the beach huts being used, on occasion, to house stalls for local traders and to provide a space for craft fairs or other similar events during the summer.

“As the beach huts are being used for the benefit of local residents and visitors to Barry we want to receive ideas from the public.

“We intend to ‘pilot’ the beach huts for the first 12 months and during this time we want to try as many ideas as possible so we can be sure we are using them in the best way.

"We do not envisage the huts being used to serve food, but we will welcome all other suggestions, all of which will be considered.”

Members of the public can share their views by visiting www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/barrybeachhuts, by tweeting @VOGCouncil using the hashtag #barrybeachhuts, or by commenting on Facebook.