Plans for a new taxi rank in the centre of Welshpool have been announced.

Members of Welshpool Town Council want to open the rank outside the town’s tourist information centre.

They also want to change part of the building into a taxi office, in a bid to boost the town’s economy.

The town council has already reached an agreement with Powys County Council to take over the running of the town’s tourist information centre after the county council announced plans to pull out.

Town clerk Robert Robinson said he hoped the taxi rank would be up and running in time for the centre’s official opening on April 4.

“At the moment there is an empty room at the centre and we want to turn it into a taxi office,” he said.

“The town centre hasn’t got a taxi rank at the moment and I think we very much need one to help boost the town’s economy.”

Mr Robinson said the rank would take up three parking spaces in the town’s Church Street car park.

He said there were a few taxi firms interested in taking over the rank and the council is “still in discussions with them”.

Councillor Alan Crowe backed the plan.

He said: “It is making good use of resources because the tourist information centre doesn’t make use of the entire building.

“It also forms part of the council’s plan to improve services in the town.

“It’s good because people will know where to go and get a taxi from, without having to get hold of a taxi number.”

He added: “I think it will encourage people, especially the elderly or those who can’t drive, to shop in the town more often because the taxi service will be more accessible.”