A LOCAL partnership in Porthmadog is trying to improve the town centre area in order to make it an attractive place to work, live and visit.

Porthmadog Town Centre Partnership has been established with the support of the Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council with a number of schemes currently being developed that will be underway over the coming months.

One important element of the partnership work is the shop-front improvement grant scheme.

The scheme has been open for over a year, and is funded by Porthmadog Town Council and Porthmadog Chamber of Trade which offers grants of up to 50 per cent towards the costs of improving the front of a commercial property, and up to £1,000 within the scheme’s boundaries.

Cllr Mandy Williams-Davies, Gwynedd Council Cabinet member for the ecomomy said: “As a council, we are pleased to be working in partnership with Porthmadog Chamber of Commerce and Porthmadog Town Council on this important scheme which supports local businesses to improve the look of the high street and shops in order to encourage people to support business on the street.”

So far, 12 businesses have received a grant offer with improvement work varying from painting to fitting new windows, restoring woodwork and new canopies. The total grants committed is over £7,500, and the total contribution made by the businesses themselves towards the work could be up to £21,700.

The fund remains open and welcomes applications. For further details contact Rhys Williams on 01286 679 397 or [email protected]u

See the full story in this Thursday’s Arfon/Dwyfor edition of the Cambrian News