Editor,

The negativity caused by the growing number of shops closing and empty buildings in Aberystwyth calls for an ambitious and inspiring project to attract an increase in the number of visitors to build prosperity in the town and the area.

With the pending rejuvenation of the Old College as a result of the successful bids for Lottery and Welsh Government money, this is an opportunity for creative thinking of the first order.

Aberystwyth is blessed with a series of public institutions that host visual culture: the National Library, the arts centre, the School of Art and Ceredigion Museum, in fact a wealth of potentially linked experiences that can make this a hub for cultural tourism.

To be part of a Tate network could provide the support for a better profile for Wales and the West. Scotland and Ireland are constantly the subjects of discussion but Wales remains overlooked.

One of the poorest areas in the whole of Europe could be revitalised if the transformation of the Old College could be part of a plan to inject the resources and vision necessary for success.

Twelve international competitive residencies for poets. composers, visual artists, film makers and practitioners in art forms yet to be named could be established in the Old College, leaving plenty of space for concerts, lectures, performances in a building containing more than 200 rooms.

In order to increase the volume of tourism, publicity for the character of Aberystwyth and the surrounding area is essential. An eye-catching inspirational project is needed here to succeed. I suggest that a prize along the lines of the Turner prize be awarded annually or biannually to commemorate the contribution to the arts of the Davies sisters, Margaret and Gwendoline.

At this time the focus on female achievement is timely and to be celebrated.

Mary Lloyd Jones, Iorwerth Avenue, Aberystwyth.

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