A major Aberystwyth development stands empty, after hundreds of thousands of pounds were spent on refurbishment – and a local councillor is blaming the current economic climate.

Work appears to have been completed on the development of the old Welsh school on Alexandra Road.

The development was due to welcome Pizza Express and café/bar chain Loungers as part of a ‘café quarter’ development.

However, those deals appear to have fallen through, with the site now fenced off after building work was completed.

Local councillor Ceredig Davies said the development being left vacant was disappointing considering the prime location of the site.

He said: “From the outside the redevelopment of the Alexandra Road school looks attractive and ready for prospective tenants.

“It is therefore disappointing that there does not appear to be any work going on to fit out the units, but then one only has to read the financial papers to be aware that there is a lot of uncertainty in the current economic climate, particularly in the sector at which the development was aimed at.

“The probability, as this is a private development, is the first we will be aware of potential tenants will be when the council receives a planning application that will cover such things as external signage.”

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