Please sign this petition to stop the closure of three Visitor Centres in Wales, two from leading MTB destinations at Coed y Brenin and Bwlch Nant yr Arian.
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So what do we know:
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is considering closing visitor centres at Nant yr Arian, Ynyslas, and Coed y Brenin. While funding will keep them open until April 1, 2024, the café at Coed y Brenin might shut down earlier, possibly by October.
No final decisions have been made yet, as union consultations are ongoing and will take about 45 days. However, NRW currently has no plans to close the trails.
On a positive note, the bike shop and hire centre at Coed y Brenin will remain open, which is good news.
A group of local stakeholders has formed a cooperative called Caru Coed y Brenin to explore the feasibility of a local body taking over the management of the centre and possibly its trail network in the future. We are collaborating with this group and support their goals. Simultaneously, we continue to work closely with NRW to ensure continuity of service at Coed y Brenin throughout their change process.
Writing as a rider and thinking from the council perspective I still can't work this out. I coincidently was there (Coed y Brenin) last Sunday and it was packed. So how they can not make this a commercially viable venture feels more like poor design and maybe a competence issue than anything else. The local tourism impact should be enough to justify the cost. I'm not sure I would have driven 5 hours to visit if I felt that I couldn't get a coffee before and lunch after when other choices do.
This would have meant no money on the local accommodation, nor the local restaurant the evening before, not to mention the local garage for fuel and bike shop sales. Total short-sighted madness. Not to mention the clear physical and mental health benefits these centres ensure. Please sign this petition
Read: 172 times Published: 08/08/2024🥇 Trail of the Year – Winner Announced!
