Renovating a wooden jetty in Aberystwyth will boost the town’s economy and the “vibrancy of the promenade”, councillors have said.

But hopes that the jetty, which lies between the pier and the bandstand, could be extended may be dashed due to conditions of grant funding the county council hopes to win.

The council, which will provide £4,000 from its own budget, is hoping to win £72,000 in grant funding from the Big Lottery Fund to enable the jetty to be used again by boats, including sightseeing vessels for tourists.

Economic regeneration Cabinet member Rhodri Evans said the council is waiting to hear whether the funding bid has been accepted, but said the scheme would be a boost to tourism.

He said: “This is good news if we have the correct decision on the funding. If we do get this money it’ll be good news and a benefit to Aberystwyth and the county.”

The scheme was welcomed by Aberystwyth councillors, with Cllr Ceredig Davies saying he had been asked whether the scheme could include extending the jetty.

He said: “If there’s any way we can improve it, it would be great. It would be great to see boats back there on the jetty.”

Cllr Evans said it was likely that the grant funding would be issued only on the basis of the scheme already planned, which is to repair and renovate the current jetty, which has been damaged by marine boring warms.

Cllr Alun Williams said bringing the jetty back into use had been one of the suggestions that came from a promenade development committee.

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