Final bids submitted to run visitor centres

Final bids have been submitted to take over the running of two popular visitor centres that closed last year.

Bwlch Nant yr Arian near Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth and Coed y Brenin near Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, were closed in March 2025 along with Ynyslas Visitor Centre by bosses at Natural Resources Wales.

The decision to close the centres was made as the environmental body looked to cut costs.

The Ynyslas site was taken over by a community group last summer, but Nant yr Arian and Coed y Brenin centres remain closed, although paths and parks are open.

The popular centres have remained closed for two summer seasons with temporary toilets and food stands taking their place.

A lengthy tendering process has taken place to find suitable partners to run Coed y Brenin and Bwlch Nant yr Arian.

Giving an update on the process, Natural Resources Wales’ Head of Sustainable Commercial Development Neil Stoddart said: “Shortlisted bidders for Bwlch Nant yr Arian have submitted their final proposals, with submissions for Coed y Brenin due on 29 October.

“Once all submissions have been received, we will undertake a detailed evaluation and due diligence process before identifying a preferred bidder for each site.

“We aim to do this by the end of 2026.

“We look forward to securing long-term partners who can help enhance the visitor experience, support local communities and businesses, and protect the natural environment of these important sites.”

Politicians and local campaign groups lambasted the move to close the sites in 2025, which were before their closure listed as being in the top 10 per cent of attractions globally.

The decision to cease catering and retail operations at the sites was made by NRW chiefs to plug a £13 million budget gap, but the Welsh Government funded body was criticised by MSs for not setting out a clear timetable for the reopening of centres.

A community group called Caru Coed y Brenin has stated it is officially bidding to run the popular mountain biking site, while the Cliff Railway in Aberystwyth is believed to be one of the bidders to run Bwlch Nant yr Arian.

Caru Coed y Brenin Chair Rhys Llywelyn told the Cambrian News: “Committing to this process was not an easy decision. We fully recognise the scale of the responsibility involved in operating a centre of Coed y Brenin’s standing, but we also believe this is a unique opportunity to create a secure and sustainable future for the site.

“Our vision is for Coed y Brenin to be run by the community, for the benefit of the community. We want to safeguard the trails, improve the visitor experience and ensure that the economic benefits are felt throughout Meirionnydd and the wider Welsh economy.

“We are extremely grateful for the support the campaign has received so far. There is a great deal of work to complete before the end of October, but we are determined to submit the strongest possible proposal.”

NRW bosses annoyed locals further earlier this year when they bumped up the cost of parking at Nant yr Arian and Coed y Brenin.