A total of £4 million has been allocated to town centre regeneration projects across Mid Wales over the next two years, Powys and Ceredigion councils have confirmed.

The funding, awarded by the Welsh Government as part of its Transforming Towns programme, will support schemes aimed at revitalising high streets and town centres.

Grants will cover up to 70 per cent of project costs, to a maximum of £300,000 per application. Projects must address priorities set out in a town’s placemaking or investment plan.

In a joint statement, Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, and Cllr Clive Davies, Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Carbon Management, said: This investment will help create jobs, boost economic activity and breathe new life into high streets and town centres across Mid Wales.

"The types of projects we are likely to support include developing underused, empty or run down properties into businesses, housing, leisure facilities, commercial premises or community facilities; improving the appearance of properties and/or reshaping them to make them more viable; or improving existing premises by introducing innovative services and connectivity, such as high speed broadband, which will attract businesses.”

Placemaking Grants in the two counties are awarded by a Mid Wales regional board, but expressions of interest must be submitted to the council where the project is based. These can be delivered by the county councils themselves, or by third parties such as town councils, partnerships, charities, voluntary organisations and private businesses.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, said: “By investing in our towns and city centres, we are not only enhancing the physical environment but also fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents.

“Bringing empty properties back into active use and breathing new life into our town and city centres are key pillars of our regeneration strategy here in Wales.

“The continuation of the grant programme, with increased funding and grant allowances, makes funding for regeneration projects more accessible, enabling us to build on the successes we have already achieved.”

Since its launch in 2020, the Transforming Towns programme has awarded more than £314 million in grant and loan funding to support regeneration across Wales.

More information on the Transforming Towns Placemaking Grants for 2025-2027 in Powys can be found on the council website at: https://en.powys.gov.uk/transformingtowns