A £6,000 fund to improve the look of empty buildings and encourage investment in Brecon has been made available by the town council.

The town has seen more and more former thriving business premises laying empty in recent years, causing concern for Brecon town councillors.

In a bid to make the town look more attractive to investors and deter vandalism, the town council have secured the money to pay for ’window wraps’.

County Councillor for St John’s ward Matthew Dorrance said the wraps would display a variety of images to improve the look of the market town.

He said: "At present, empty shops are having a detrimental impact on how the town looks. Windows which are covered in newspaper or window cleaner look terrible so we have made this money available to make the town more attractive.

"The window wraps could have imagery from local artists, they could look like a traditional grocers or there could be photos of local attractions on them. A variety of options are available."

With the recent closure of Cariad Cakes, Bikes and Hikes and the Coracle Fishbar, the number of shops empty in the town stands as 28 out of 185 premises.

Concern has been raised that 16.4% of shops are empty, compared to 0% in neighbouring towns such as Abergavenny and Llandeilo.

Traders say that national companies have been approached to look at investing the in the town but the size of the Brecon’s population is too small.

The town council believes that improving the town aesthetically will have a positive impact on the town.

Brecon is also set to benefit from the a £1m loan received by Powys Council as part of the Welsh Government Vibrant and Viable Places Town Centre Loans.

Private businesses can apply for a loan to bring empty buildings back into use.

Councillor Dorrance said the town council funding might be small but the impact on the town would be massive.

He said: "We can make a real difference with this fund. Making the town more presentable will attract investment from small to mediums businesses as well as deterring vandalism.

"Evidence proves that if an area looks a bit rundown and community pride is disappearing, it is more likely to be hit by vandals, attract littering and flytipping.

"The town council is putting its money where its mouth is to regenerate the town."