Crickhowell’s public toilets have undergone a major eco-friendly upgrade.

More than £40,000 in funding was secured by Powys County Council from the Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics scheme.

£18,000 was awarded to Crickhowell Town Council to help revamp facilities at the Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre (CRiC), while £22,500 was awarded to Berriew Community Council towards improving 50-year-old toilets in the centre of the village.

Crickhowell Town Council used its funding – along with a Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Sustainable Development Fund grant – to install new water-saving toilets, waterless urinals, 8kWp PV solar panels and battery, and low energy light fittings.

Clllr James Gibson-Watt, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys. “I hope more people will now be encouraged to stop off and see what both places have to offer and spend more than just a penny!”

Crickhowell Town Councillor Tony D’Anna said: “This project took over six months to complete, but the hard work will pay off in the end. The town council and CRiC should save £5,000 per year on the operating costs for the toilets – currently more than £23,000 – and we will reduce our carbon footprint by over one tonne.

“Its success will be down to terrific partnership work with Powys County Council’s tourism team, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and CRiC staff.”

Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for tourism, Rebecca Evans, said: "Targeted investment in essential facilities enhances our tourism infrastructure, and plays a vital role in delivering a positive experience for visitors while supporting our local economies.

“I'm delighted our Brilliant Basics funding has helped deliver these improvements in Crickhowell and Berriew. Not only will they improve accessibility – ensuring we provide a warm welcome to everybody who visits – but they will also help towards our climate commitments through energy-saving measures.”