EXCITING Christmas plans have been revealed to demolish a major store in the middle of Aberystwyth and replace it with a new shopping and eating complex.

Plans have been submitted to Ceredigion County Council to demolish the Store 21 retail store next to Wetherspoons on Rheidol Retail Park and construct a two-storey building which will house shops, cafés and restaurants.

At a meeting of Aberystwyth Town Council on Monday, councillors broadly welcomed the plans.

But concerns have been raised relating to any bats that live on the site, waste management and energy efficiency.

Cllr Ceredig Davies said: “Many people think there’s a future for Aber and that this type of development will help secure that future.

“We should be careful of the negative things which are said here — we should promote Aberystwyth and realise people in our area are happy when businesses come into the town.”

Cllr Mererid Jones said: “I support the development and hope it will keep to the green standards that we like and that rubbish is kept tidy.”

Leeds-based developers, Bilsdale Properties Ltd say the plans would include 2,392 sq m of floor space to sit generally on the same foot print as Store 21, a tower, and would also be built of materials and in a way which would reflect the Grade II-listed old railway station building next door.

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