Fate of famous Welsh attractions delayed as opposition grows to closure plans
A decision on the future of a key Eryri attraction and two others in Mid Wales has been delayed. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it wants to “get it right” when deciding the fates of popular visitor centres at Coed y Brenin near Dolgellau as well as Bwlch Nant yr Arian and Ynyslas in Ceredigion.
Closure of all three would see the loss of around 265 jobs to address a £13m budget shortfall. Political, tourism and community leaders have railed against the proposals amid concerns over the economic impact they would have on largely rural areas.
Latest to criticise NRW’s closure plans is Cymdeithas Eryri (Snowdonia Society). Director Rory Francis wants Coed y Brenin’s visitor centre café kept open, noting that it “often seems to be full”.
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In a letter to NRW chief executive Clare Pillman, he said: “Its closure would be a huge loss for both local people and visitors, in terms of employment as well as quality of life. If NRW really cannot afford to run the Coed y Brenin visitor centre, we urge them to come to an arrangement with some social enterprise or company on terms that make it possible for them to do so successfully. They can then use this iconic building to provide the services that people need and enjoy.”
Meirionnydd’s branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) has also outlined its concerns over Coed-y-Brenin. It pointed out that Denbighshire Council is planning to build a visitor centre on Moel Famau “at considerable cost”.
“They consider this will be money well spent which will deliver real value for people and the local economy,” said the CPRW branch in a letter to Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies. “Why does NRW have a different view when they are, by definition, the ‘guardians’ of our recreational areas?”
“Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre is a vital element in the social and financial economy of Meirionnydd. Its closure would be a tragedy stretching far beyond the mountain biking community who bring so much into the area.” Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
NRW has held talks with with unions over potential redundancies at Coed y Brenin, the UK’s first purpose-built mountain bike centre. Around 100,000 people visit the Gwynedd attraction each year, making it an important part of Meirionnydd’s rural economy.
If the visitor centres are closed or changed, NRW said walking and bike trails at the sites will stay open. Nant yr Arian has a shop, café and toilets and five trails – and is famous for its daily feeding of red kites. Ynyslas’ centre has a shop, toilets and an exhibition on the Dyfi Nature Reserve.
A petition of more than 13,000 signatures calling for the centres’ retention was considered by the Welsh Government’s petitions committee earlier this month. While there is sympathy for the cost-cutting needed – NRW’s budget fell more than a third in the seven years to 2020 – there is anger over the way the process has been handled.
NRW has said that, if its proposals are agreed, it will work with partners interested in taking over retail and catering operations at the three centres. But Suzy Davies, chair of Wales Tourism Alliance, said NRW had gone about things in the “wrong order”.
“Before launching its plans, it should have first assessed if there was an appetite among businesses and community groups to take over the centres,” she said. “By suggesting these centres are making losses, it’s hardly going to attract interest.
“Instead, all NRW has done is to create anxiety and generate a backlash. It’s depressing this wasn’t foreseen earlier, putting NRW at risk of reputational damage.”
If NRW proceeds with its plans, car parking, play areas and toilet will continue to be available. Final decisions by NRW’s Board were expected in late September but the schedule has now been pushed back. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
A spokesperson said: “We are now reviewing the information received from trade unions following the consultation to fully understand the impacts of the decisions for our colleagues, our partners, stakeholders and our customers to determine if any changes are needed, whilst still meeting our cost-savings target. Given the breadth of feedback, we have decided to take a bit of extra time to ensure we get it right and the NRW Board will make the decision later this autumn.”
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