A PROMINENT Aberystwyth businessman could be offered an interest-free loan of up to £500,000 by Ceredigion Council to complete renovation work on a dilapidated building he owns on the seafront, it has emerged.

Vince Morgans, who owns the Park Lodge Hotel, has long been criticised for failing to carry out work on the former Deva nursing home which has been dubbed an eyesore by residents.

The council ended up issuing an enforcement notice against Morgans Properties Limited at the end of February, demanding that work is carried out by October.

But after failure to convert the building into “three luxury town houses”, the council is considering using the money provided by the Welsh Government under the Town Centre Loan Scheme to see work progress.

Cabinet members heard that if the council doesn’t find a scheme it could have to pay back the £500,000-plus to the Welsh Government.

A report by strategic director Huw Morgan, said: “There is now an opportunity to use the remaining money to expedite the proposal to bring back into use and improve the appearance of a prominent seafront property that is currently an eyesore - the former Deva building."

It is unclear whether Mr Morgans is planning to accept the loan. He was not available for comment when Cambrian News tried to contact him.

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