An ancient town in Eifionydd has seen an investment worth almost £300,000 to boost the local economy and make it a better place for people to shop and relax.
In Cricieth, almost £140,000 has been spent on making significant improvements to the street infrastructure in the Maes area. Almost £100,000 came through Cyngor Gwynedd's Town Centre Regeneration scheme funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the remainder through Council funds.
Alongside this, the Council allocated around £137,000 to a local business to refurbish buildings in the town centre that had become an eyesore and establish them as a successful venture.
The infrastructure improvements mean that safety, accessibility and community interests have been improved by creating an open and pleasant space in the town centre. There are now more dedicated spaces where residents and visitors can sit, socialise and enjoy the atmosphere.
The main aim of this element of the work was to solve the problem of the pavement that had risen due to tree roots, which had the potential to be dangerous to pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairments, mobility problems or those pushing a pram.
The work also included:
• New benches installed in the typical blue colour of Cricieth.
• Low stone walls topped with slate erected, wooden benches installed and two new ponds created, adding aesthetics and function to the site.
• New lighting installed and the existing bollards repainted.
In the same period, a local business also benefited significantly through schemes from the Council.
A property improvement grant was allocated to transform a former craft centre and associated workshop. These are key buildings on the Maes in Cricieth which had been vacant for a long time, and with business development help they have been transformed into a food and culture hub.
Councillor Nia Jeffreys, Leader of Cyngor Gwynedd said:
"The hustle and bustle of town centres plays a vital role in Gwynedd's economy, and these improvements are testament to the Council's continued commitment to their regeneration.
I'm delighted that the Council's various departments have been able to work together to make a real difference to this part of Cricieth.
I would encourage anyone to drop by to enjoy the new look of the area."
Councillor June Jones, Cyngor Gwynedd's Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Highways, Engineering and Gwynedd Consultancy Department, said:
We are pleased to see how the redevelopment at the Maes in Cricieth has transformed the area to be safer, more welcoming and accessible to all.
Creating new seating areas around the trees has helped create a place where the community and visitors can enjoy the town more comfortably."
Councillor Medwyn Hughes, Cyngor Gwynedd's Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Economy and Community Department, said:
It's great to see local businesses like those in Cricieth taking advantage of the opportunities that come with these grants. They are specifically designed to help businesses of all sizes grow into the future.
I encourage other businesses across the county who are looking for opportunities to develop and strengthen to visit the Council's website to see what support is available or to contact the Department for a chat. This support can make a real difference at grassroots level."
Councillor Siân Williams, the local member for Cricieth, added:
I'm delighted that local businesses and the wider community have been able to take advantage of these grants and that we are now seeing the fruits of everyone's efforts. The summer season is around the corner and hopefully the weather will warm up so locals and visitors can enjoy the new resources.
Thank you to Cricieth Town Council, the local business community and the contractors for the successful collaboration, to ensure that all parts of the work are delivered to the highest standard."
Lloyd Edwards, owner of Y Maes business, added:
Receiving this grant has meant that a dilapidated building in the heart of Cricieth has been turned into a modern hub that will benefit the community and local businesses and more widely."
Notes
• The improvements to the Maes, Cricieth were delivered by Cyngor Gwynedd using UK Government funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund.
• Phase one of the redevelopment of the streets and pavements was completed in April 2025, which resulted in a further investment of money from the Shared Prosperity Fund from Cyngor Gwynedd to complete phase two of the project in October 2025.
• The infrastructure work was led and designed by Ymgynghoriaeth Gwynedd Consultancy (YGC) with the main contractor, Thom James Construction Services, and I.Griffiths Groundworks as subcontractor.
• The Town Centre Property Improvement Grant and Business Development Grant business funds have come to an end. The funds were provided by Cyngor Gwynedd using UK Government funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund.
• Information about the grants and other support is available from Cyngor Gwynedd on the Council's website: www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/Busnes.
• Local businesses can subscribe on the website to the Gwynedd Business Bulletin for regular updates.