The regeneration of Machynlleth is “just a matter of filling the gaps and some co-ordination”, according to a councillor who “put Cardigan back on the map”.

Cardigan councillor Clive Davies was invited to speak during a public meeting in Machynlleth, organised by the town council after local residents expressed concern regarding the closure of businesses in Machynlleth.

Since becoming a town councillor in 2012, Cllr Davies has been at the forefront of an effort to regenerate Cardigan and has been “actively supporting the redevelopment of Cardigan town as a destination for its catchment”.

Cllr Davies was also elected Penparc county councillor in 2017 and made digital champion for the county. In 2019 he was awarded the most active Party of Wales councillor in the country for his work as councillor, he is also a trustee for Citizen’s Advice, governor of two local schools, trustee of Cardigan Castle, and chair of one of the local community halls.

He is also “currently supporting the role out of technologies and infrastructure to Ceredigion by working with suppliers such as Openreach, local MP Ben Lake and MS Elin Jones”, as well as being “actively involved in the development of the future implementation of the Growing Mid Wales programme”.

Cllr Davies said the public meeting in Machynlleth was “well attended” by local business owners, town, and county councillors.

“I did a three-minute presentation on what Cardigan town and the different organisations did to help the town develop over the last 10 years,” Cllr Davies explained.

“I gave them some ideas about a way forward with a plan and getting the right people to work together with a common goal.

“A lot of good work already happens in Machynlleth so it’s just a matter of filling the gaps and some co-ordination.”

He added: “I’ve been mayor twice for Cardigan in the last 10 years or so and have implemented some changes, with support from the town council and county council.

“Included in this are technologies to help measure the town’s activity, you could call it a ‘fitbit’ for the town. With this we can see the effect of changes made on the town and also, more recently, the effect of the pandemic.

“We set up a Town Centre Partnership, a forum which met every quarter to discuss ideas and funding. In the forum are the theatres, local college, town chamber, social enterprises operating to benefit the town, town council, county council, town event committee of volunteers, civic trust and heritage attraction.

“Between us a number of things were introduced to Cardigan, including additional events for the annual calendar, free town wifi, new signage, and a town app.

“We hope to meet again next month to pick up with plans for 2022.”

Cllr Ann MacGarry said they will be discussing the ideas raised in the next Enterprise Forum meeting.