"Some thoughts on the Built Environment of Aberystwyth Town Centre.
Sea Front
The range of buildings fronting to North Beach presents a generally distinguished appearance, particularly now that Alexandra Hall is being refurbished. This, combined with the wide sweep of the promenade, gives this part of Aberystwyth a dignity, free of clutter, which would be the envy of many seaside resorts, and is an obvious attraction to residents and visitors alike. Every effort should be made to ensure that incongruous intrusions, either temporary or permanent, are not allowed to detract from what is undoubtedly one of the town’s best features.
South Marine Terrace overlooking South Beach has the potential of being a row of imposing, attractive buildings, but falls short of this at present, largely due to the varying standards of maintenance and the need for some coordination of external decoration and colour.
Retail & Commercial Centre.
It is essential for the town generally and for the business people who work there that the town centre maintains a thriving, colourful atmosphere to enable it to compete with the pull of the large stores in out-of-town Parc-y-Llyn. Full advantage should be taken of the recent road works and traffic management system to ensure a free pedestrian flow throughout the shopping area, with complete pedestrianisation of one or more streets. Through collaboration between the County Council, the Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Civic Society, the opportunity could be taken to introduce a coordinated colour scheme of decoration of buildings, such as the Civic Trust and other bodies have initiated in several towns throughout the UK over the last 45 years. Professional advice coupled with the availability of small grants would provide an incentive to property owners to work in conjunction with their neighbours to create a unified whole. There are already a few individual examples of what can be achieved in this direction. Property owners at the seaward end of Terrace Road are to be congratulated on the effect they have obtained through the careful choice of colour.
Central Residential Streets.
One of the unfortunate results of the proliferation of HMOs in the town centre is the minimal maintenance standards adopted and the resulting drab appearance of many of the residential streets, although there are some notable exceptions. The introduction of external colour coordination through the provision of advice and incentives to property owners could result in a considerable improvement in the appearance of these streets and in the general environment of those living there.
Conclusion
The proposals set out above do not
provide all the answers to the problems of Aberystwyth centre, but in the
writer's view would result in a brighter, busier town centre to the general
benefit of all users."
If any member wishes to express
their views on any matters relevant to the Society please write to the
Chairman or the Secretary.