In late 2021, UK Government confirmed that Ceredigion County Council was successful in the £10.8 million bid for Levelling Up Fund (Round 1) funding to revitalise a key part of Aberystwyth to boost the town and the county’s economy. Since then, the Council has been working with its partners to progress the regeneration plans to further build on Aberystwyth’s prominence into an “Attractor Destination” not just for high-value tourism, but also to strengthen its position as a destination place to live, work and study.
The economic climate has changed considerably since the bid was approved in 2021, and the original vision and plans had to be re-drawn. However, the work on the Old College and Promenade were able to be saved and significant improvement works are now in motion:
Adding impact to the Old College project: Working with Aberystwyth University, this project will add value to the Old College project, which aims to bring new life to the building and transform it into a vibrant cultural centre with outstanding facilities for the university, the local community, and visitors to the area.
Levelling Up Funding has secured the acquisition of the former office block Y Cambria by the University, and this will be integrated into the wider Old College Project at a future time and will nearly double the project’s 4* accommodation provision. Levelling Up Funding will be used to complete some of the 39 bedrooms being constructed in the main Old College building along with the creation of galleries and exhibition spaces which will add value to the visitor experience.
The Old College project is due to be completed by December 2025.
Revitalised Promenade project: Improvements will be made to the existing pedestrian and cycling assets along the south Prom, around the old harbour, and onwards to Riverside Terrace. This development will offer more opportunities for residents and visitors alike to benefit from active travel in the form of safer off-road cycling and walking routes. Upgrades will also be made to pavements and road surfaces in King Street with improved access to the rear of Old College and the Castle grounds. New lighting along the whole length of the Promenade will enable better use of this facility all year round.
A number of the streetlights on the Prom have reached the end of their operational life. For safety reasons, temporary lighting replacements will be installed shortly which will be followed up with more appropriate permanent fixtures when the work on the Prom commences this autumn.
These developments will further enhance the Promenade as an asset for local people and visitors alike to enjoy and put the town on the map by having an accessible and sustainable draw to the town.
Councillor Clive Davies, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economy and Regeneration “As a Council, we wish to deliver successful schemes for all the funding that we worked hard to secure to boost our economy and opportunities. We are completely committed to doing what we can to realise a significant investment in cultural, heritage, and wellbeing infrastructure across the whole county – and this scheme in Aberystwyth is a huge priority for us to deliver.
“The economy has changed considerably, however, and the exact detail of what we can ultimately deliver is influenced by rising costs and private sector stability. We will continue to work with UK Government and our stakeholders, including the local community to look at ways to continue to drive the investment forward to generate new jobs, opportunities, skills, recreation, and new infrastructure for the town.”
