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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'Rundown' UK seaside resort unveils £10.8m to bring it back to life
A popular seaside town stung by negative reviews of being 'tatty and rundown' has almost finished its huge £10.8million refurb plan to bring the resort back to life A snubbed seaside resort described by visitors as 'tatty and rundown' has unveiled ambitious plans to come roaring back to life. Situated in the centre of the dramatic Ceredigion coastline in Wales, Aberystwyth (also known as Aber) has been a popular holiday destination for decades. Famed for its crescent-shaped beach, historic pier, and pastel-coloured homes, the town - in theory - ticks all the must-haves for any successful coastal resort. In the summer, the promenade sees music, choirs, and other performances liven up the street, while Constitution Hill, snuggled at the quieter northern end of the Promenade, features a cliff railway with the largest camera obscura in the world. "On clear days, the beach offers wonderful views of North Wales, including the peaks of the Llyn Peninsular and Snowdonia," Visit Wales states. However, just like many seaside towns up and down the nation - Aber has struggled keeping its pristine reputation. Just three weeks ago, one traveller left a scathing review of the town's seafront on Trip Advisor - stating he was 'really disappointed and pretty disgusted too'. "Very difficult to find parking and the seafront and town streets were filthy," the user wrote. "I have honestly never seen so much dog poo on the pavements anywhere in the whole of Britain." Older reviews from 2023 describe the town as 'drab, grey, and run down' while other say it's not somewhere you should go 'out of your way' to visit. But, last year, Aberystwyth started revamping the promenade as part of a £10.8 million investment funded by the UK Government. Work started on October 9, 2024, and has already seen new lighting foundations along the promenade as well as the installation of a slate poem celebrating the town's 'deep connection with the sea, history, and community spirit'. Other works include kerb-line replacements, creating more parking spaces, and widening the promenade between the Hut and Castle Point. "The road and widened footways along the promenade opened to the public on December 20, 2024, meeting the goal of completion before Christmas," the council stated. "Remaining tasks, including cobble-effect surfacing for table tops, bollard reinstatement, and street furniture installation, will be addressed later." £43 million is also being pumped into restoring Old College, a Victorian university building which was gutted by a fire which killed three people. Upon completion, it is expected to attract 200,000 visitors a year and become a centre for 'learning, heritage, culture and enterprise' as well as homing a four-star hotel. Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council said the revitalisation of the promenade and the development of the Old College are 'pivotal projects' for the town's future. "Thanks to UK Government funding, we are seeing the physical and economic transformation of our town, enhancing opportunities for residents and visitors alike," he added. Dame Nia Griffith MP also welcomed the investment plans, arguing the UK government is 'committed to investing' in Wales. "Projects like the Old College and the improvements to Aberystwyth Promenade are crucial for driving local economic prosperity and creating spaces that benefit the whole community," she added. Visiting Aberystwyth - everything you need to know Located some 238 miles from London, getting to Aber from the Big Smoke takes around five and a half hours in the car. However, you can slash 45 minutes off the journey by taking the train - which will usually include a stopover in Birmingham. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fares for as little as £31.50. For example, a weekend's stay (Friday, June 20-22) at the Starling Cloud Hotel will set you back £239. This is based on two adults sharing a Standard Double Room. If you're looking for a more luxurious stay - check out the five-star Awel Mor Holiday Apartments. Here, a three-bed apartment with a sea view will cost £690 on the exact same dates. *Prices based on Trainline and listings at the time of writing.
Powys County Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
£4m Powys business fund is launched at Abermule event
A £4 million pot has been launched to help businesses in Powys to expand. The Mid Wales Commercial Property Investment Fund, launched through the Mid Wales Growth Deal (Growing Mid Wales), aims to help businesses invest in new or expanded premises. The issue is considered by officials to be one of the key challenges facing growing businesses in the region. A launch event held at CMD Ltd - part of yacht parts company Makefast Group and based at Abermule Business Park - brought together businesses from across the region to highlight the fund. Businesses heard how CMD had expanded into its new home backed by Powys County Council and Welsh Government in 2022. Councillor Bryan Davies, leader of Ceredigion County Council, and Councillor James Gibson-Watt, leader of Powys County Council, co-chairs of the Growing Mid Wales Board, said: "This fund is a significant step in supporting business growth across Mid Wales. "By providing targeted investment in commercial premises, we are helping businesses expand, create jobs, and strengthen the regional economy. Ensuring access to suitable infrastructure is vital for sustainable development." CMD managing director Jack Miller added: 'We were delighted to host the launch of this important initiative. "The Mid Wales Commercial Property Investment Fund presents a valuable opportunity for companies in the region to expand and thrive, contributing to the overall prosperity of our community.' Welsh Government cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'By addressing the critical infrastructure needs of growing enterprises, we are not just supporting individual businesses but strengthening the entire regional economy. "This investment, through a £55m Welsh Government contribution into the Mid Wales Growth Deal, will help unlock potential, create quality jobs, and build a more resilient economic future for communities across Mid Wales.' The launch event was fully booked. but a follow-up webinar will be held on Thursday, May 15, from 2.30pm until 4pm, providing the same information about the fund, including how to apply. To register email growingmidwales@ Eligible applicants must be private businesses that are formally constituted as a company or a partnership, and operate in specific sectors including construction, electrical and plumbing, information and communications, manufacturing, professional services, real estate, and wholesale, retail and motor trade. The fund is not open to speculative property developers, public bodies, or charities.
Business News Wales
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Mid Wales Commercial Property Fund Launches to Boost Business Growth
A brand-new capital investment fund to support business growth and expansion across Mid Wales has been launched. The Mid Wales Commercial Property Investment Fund, launched through the Mid Wales Growth Deal (Growing Mid Wales), aims to help businesses invest in new or expanded premises – tackling one of the key challenges facing growing enterprises in the region. It is a limited fund of £4 million at this stage. The launch event at CMD Ltd (part of the Makefast Group), Abermule Business Park, brought together businesses from across the region to learn more about the fund. During the event, businesses heard how CMD successfully expanded into their new home through the support of Powys County Council and Welsh Government. Attendees also took a tour of their site, which they moved into in 2022, to see first-hand how investment in commercial premises can support business growth in Mid Wales. Speaking at the event, Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council, and Councillor James Gibson-Watt, Leader of Powys County Council, Co-Chairs of the Growing Mid Wales Board, said: 'This fund is a significant step in supporting business growth across Mid Wales. By providing targeted investment in commercial premises, we are helping businesses expand, create jobs, and strengthen the regional economy. Ensuring access to suitable infrastructure is vital for sustainable development.' Jack Miller, Managing Director, CMD Ltd added: 'We were delighted to host the launch of this important initiative. The Mid Wales Commercial Property Investment Fund presents a valuable opportunity for companies in the region to expand and thrive, contributing to the overall prosperity of our community.' Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'The Commercial Property Investment Fund shows our commitment to creating the right conditions for businesses to flourish in Mid Wales. By addressing the critical infrastructure needs of growing enterprises, we are not just supporting individual businesses but strengthening the entire regional economy. This investment, through a £55 million Welsh Government contribution into the Mid Wales Growth Deal, will help unlock potential, create quality jobs, and build a more resilient economic future for communities across Mid Wales.' Wales Office Minister Dame Nia Griffith said: 'I'm delighted that money from the UK Government funded Mid Wales Growth Deal is being used to help businesses expand and find new premises via the Commercial Property Investment Fund. The UK Government has made economic growth the key mission of our Plan for Change, and we are driving that forward in every part of Wales, helping remove barriers to growth and supporting businesses to create new jobs.' Due to high demand, the launch event was fully booked. However, a follow-up webinar will be held on Thursday, 15th May, from 2:30 to 4:00pm. This online session will provide the same key information about the fund, including how to apply, and is open to all interested businesses. To register for the webinar, email: growingmidwales@ The fund is targeted at specific business sectors. Eligible applicants must be private businesses that are formally constituted as a Company (Limited Company or Limited by Guarantee) or a Partnership (with a Partnership Agreement), and operate in specific sectors including Construction, Electrical and Plumbing, Information and Communications, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Real Estate, and Wholesale, Retail and Motor Trade. The fund is not open to speculative property developers, public bodies, or charities. Further information about the fund is available here .
