ABERYSTWYTH’S day centre for the elderly, which replaced the one lost to the Mill Street development following a bitter battle five years ago, could itself be closed next year, the Cambrian News can reveal.

Ceredigion council has refused to rule out the closure of the day centre in the basement of the town hall.

It was opened in 2012 after the council shut the previous day centre on Park Avenue so the land could be used for the supermarket complex now on site.

The fight to save Aberystwyth’s Park Avenue day centre was taken to Cardiff, with campaigners presenting a 6,000-signature petition to the Welsh Government - and protests against the move continued while Tesco and M&S were built.

Now, the Cambrian News can reveal that the the replacement day centre itself could be under threat. It will be the subject of a review next year in further cost-cutting measures, but is “not currently” considered for closure.

This follows the opening on Friday of a new day centre at the Hafan y Waun care home in Waunfawr.

A Ceredigion council spokesperson told the Cambrian News: “The council is not currently considering closing the Aberystwyth Day Centre.”

But the spokesperson added: “The day centre will be included in a review of day care provision in 2018.”

Cllr Mair Benjamin who campaigned for the Park Avenue day centre to remain open, said it would be “frightening” for the future of day services in the town if the town hall centre was closed. “So many people require this service, and respite for carers. It is frightening to foresee what is ahead for the elderly in this part of the county,” she said.

See this week’s Aberystwyth paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now