Catering and retail offerings at three visitor centres will cease as part of organisational cost saving plans by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) leading to job cuts and a gap in services.
NRW operate three visitor centres across Wales with Ynyslas and Nant yr Arian based in Ceredigion and Coed y Brenin in Gwynedd. All three sites are extremely important to the mid Wales economy.
120 staff members are directly impacted by changes to the organisational structure, which have now been approved by NRW’s board, as the organisation tries to make significant cost savings. NRW yesterday announced ‘NRW will streamline its activities and concentrate its resources on delivering essential services that only it can provide’. This will include enhancing efforts in improving water quality and monitoring.
However, many local groups and users are angry at how slow NRW have been to open dialogue with community groups who have already expressed an interest in ensuring a bright future for the visitor centres. It is feared that this will lead to the cessation of the majority of activities at visitor centres for an extended and unknown period of time.
A number of local entities at all three visitor centre sites have already expressed interest in running the visitor centre’s catering and retail provision. However, despite community public meetings due to take place in November, NRW are indicating that it could take an extended period of time for a hand-over to take place. In the interim, the visitor centres will only offer very basic services such as parking and toilets.
Ceredigion Councillor, Rhodri Davies said;
“This is devastating news for the staff and us as campaigners. This will have a profound effect on the local community, tourism, and Ceredigion economy. We need to put pressure on NRW to provide more information and find a solution to ensure that there is a future for the visitor centres. A public meeting has been arranged on the 26th of November at Neuadd Penllwyn Capel Bangor.”
Ben Lake MP and Elin Jones MS added:
“Natural Resources Wales’ decision to close the catering and retail operations at Bwlch Nant yr Arian and Ynyslas is extremely disappointing, and will impact local residents, communities, and the wider economy. We are concerned about the staff members affected by this decision, who have worked diligently over the years to make both centres much loved facilities among both locals and visitors alike, and who in recent months have continued to serve under difficult circumstances.
“We know that the centres at both Bwlch Nant yr Arian and Ynyslas make an important contribution to the local economy, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Today’s disappointment is compounded as it follows months of strong support by local residents and groups who are ready to work with NRW to keep these facilities open. Local groups have demonstrated a willingness to discuss possible alternative arrangements with NRW to retain the centres, and the failure to pursue these offers further is a source of significant frustration. Given the strength of local support it is essential that NRW wastes no more time before engaging with those groups who are willing and able to assume responsibility for the continued running of the centres.
“In its decision yesterday, NRW claims that it will work to ensure a smooth and “timely transfer of information, knowledge, and resources” to local groups. We have warned against the mothballing of the centres as it will only create greater problems and financial challenges in the future. NRW must now honour its commitment to working with ourselves and local partners ensure that the facilities at Bwlch Nant yr Arian and Ynyslas can be transferred without delay into local hands so that they remain open for the community to enjoy.”
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