Mid Wales towns to receive £1.5 million regeneration fund

The big pot of money is coming from the Newtown £2.14 million 'Town Centre Property Investment Fund' across Powys and Ceredigion councils.

The fund is designed to bring vacant residential, commercial and retail space back into use across towns including Newtown and Llandrindod Wells, with Brecon also involved.

Minister Hannah Blythyn has said the fund would create opportunities out of empty properties.

She said: "We want to support local businesses, grow our fantastic town centres and create job opportunities in Mid Wales. Creating more good quality commercial and retail space will help with this, as will creating homes in the centre of our towns, so people can live and work centrally and contribute to the local economy.

“This fund will help to create opportunities out of empty properties and attract more people to our town centres. I look forward to seeing some exciting refurbishments, and businesses growing and prospering across towns in Ceredigion and Powys as a result.”

The government fund will be provided via a package of support including loans, private investment and grants.

Councillor and Powys County Council cabinet member for regeneration Martin Weale will manage the administration of the programme.

He believes the move will come as a major boost to the areas economy.

He said: "We are committed to making sure our town centres are attractive, vibrant places for people to live, work and visit. Today’s news will provide a major boost for the individual towns and support their local businesses.

“The funding will also support our wider aspirations to strengthen the whole economy by stimulating regeneration work and building upon the many major investment projects that the council has in progress and is planning across Powys.

"The council’s regeneration team are hard at work on these projects and the first point of contact for anyone interested in the scheme.”