Minister announces £1.5m investment in tourism facilities
29 Feb 2012 02:35 PM
Four diverse tourism projects around Wales are to benefit from £1.15m funding from the Welsh Government as part of the drive to encourage investment in new and existing tourism facilities.
Announcing the funding during Wales Tourism Week, Business Minister Edwina Hart said it would help create and safeguard up to 75 jobs, support investment in quality facilities and improve both the business performance and the visitor experience.
Mrs Hart said:
"Tourism is worth around £3.3billion to the Welsh economy annually and the Welsh Government is encouraging and supporting investment in new and existing tourism facilities and infrastructure to improve tourism’s competitive position. To compete effectively with other regions and destinations we have to be able to offer a high quality experience."
The projects, which have had funding through the Tourism Investment Support Scheme (TISS), include a new five star serviced boutique complex in Swansea city centre, new seafront accommodation for people with special needs in Barmouth, the upgrading of an historic hotel in Ruthin and the relocation and expansion of an indoor climbing centre in Caernarfon.
The Strand, Swansea
Plans to create a 5 star serviced boutique apartment complex at The Strand, a grade II listed property in Swansea, is supported by £150,000 from the Welsh Government and will create fourteen new jobs.
The building dates back to 1720 and believed to have once been a Norwegian owned marine chandler providing sails for the Cape Horners.
The owner Daniel Tercero currently runs three quality restaurant/bars in Swansea and plans to create eight high quality serviced apartments giving visitors the option of either quality self catering accommodation, or if required the option of breakfast and /or dinner
The building comprises 11,000 sq ft over four floors plus a basement. The project is to create eight fully serviced five star two bed roomed boutique apartments (two on each floor) with parking, conference/meeting facilities and a fitness centre and storage area in the basement (for residents only). The apartments will have their own 24 hour reception/concierge.
Great Breaks Leisure Ltd, Barmouth
This is a new development of four star holiday accommodation that can be let on a serviced or self catering basis with facilities to meet the needs of people with special needs and their carers and the provision of experienced staff.
It is being backed by £60,000 support from the Welsh Government and will provide quality accommodation aligned to niche markets. The site is 50 metres from the beach providing an opportunity to promote packages including access to activities and watersports. Work on the project which will create 4.7 full time equivalent jobs, is due to start shortly and will take approximately ten months.
Anthony Olley, Development Manager, Great Breaks Leisure said:
"Great Breaks Leisure Ltd has been able to secure private investment that without the backing of TISS would have been very difficult to find in today's financial climate.
"Being part of TISS doesn't just give us financial help; it gives private investors a measure of the quality of the project, giving them the confidence to invest alongside the Welsh Government."
Ruthin Castle
Ruthin Castle, a three Star 60 bedroom hotel set within 27 acres of parkland in the centre of Ruthin, is to benefit from £500,000 funding towards upgrading facilities to gain four star rating.
It will help support its aim to become a flagship resort hotel and create 34 full time jobs and 13 part time jobs.
The project includes fully upgrading a further 27 guest bedrooms to add to the 22 already upgraded, and partially upgrading a further 11 guest bedrooms and the ‘rejuvenation’ of the existing Mediaeval Banquet product as ‘Jester’s Feasts’.
It will also create 'The Moat' a distinctive range of leisure activities, facilities and treatments including more 'spa experience', hydro experiences, relaxation area, outdoor fun experiences and the ‘start’ of a ‘wellness centre’.
Ruthin Castle originally dates to 1277 and the ‘modern’ castle was built around 200 years ago. It became an international health clinic in the early 20th century and has been a hotel since 1963. Parts of the building are listed as Ancient Monuments, and large parts are Grade II listed.
Beacon Climbing Centre, Caernarfon
Beacon Climbing Centre - one of the first dedicated climbing centres in the UK - is relocating from Ceunant to new, larger, more accessible premises on the Cibyn Industrial Estate in Caernarfon, backed with £100,000 Welsh Government support.
The new centre is close to the town and other tourist attractions and will house bigger and more modern climbing facilities and incorporate tourist related activities such as caving, high ropes and Crazyclimb. The new centre will also have a meeting rooms, lecture theatre, restaurant, crèche, equipment shop and offices.
North Wales attracts a substantial number of climbers to the area and the new centre will provide an all weather all year round alternative for rock climbers to the region.
The business is fully accredited and is AALA certificate (Adventurous Activities License). It will safeguard seven jobs and create two new jobs.
Related Links