AN ABERYSTWYTH businessman has said the town centre’s “dying” private sector economy could be saved if business owners embrace a Welsh Government initiative.

Chris Mackenzie-Grieve, owner of MG’s café and Wiff Waff bar and chair of Aberystwyth Chamber of Commerce, this week spoke about the proposed Business Improvement Districts to the Cambrian News.

BIDs are defined geographical areas in which businesses are charged an additional levy — between 1 and 1.5 per cent — based on their rateable value and the money then used to develop projects which will benefit businesses in the local area.

“There has never been a strategic plan for Aberystwyth,” said Mr Mackenzie-Grieve, highlighting the dominance of public sector bodies in the local economy.

“There has been no strategy on how we get a better balance between the public and private sectors here. Somebody should have sat down and come up with a strategy — Aberystwyth is static and not a growing town.

“In fact, the town has gone backwards, there are lots of business owners who have told me they are down on last year.

“The private sector is dying in Aberystwyth. This town should be the capital of mid Wales and it isn’t playing to that at all.”

See next week’s south editions for the full story