A leading Carmarthenshire councillor has visited an old coaching inn now catering for the cycling community.
Cllr Meryl Gravell visited the Black Lion inn in Abergorlech to see landscaping work carried out in the grounds and improved facilities for cyclists.
The Black Lion is an old coaching inn servicing the local community and tourist trade. The inn is in the centre of the popular Brechfa mountain bike trail and is visited by cyclists all year round.
Landlord George Rashbrook successfully applied to Carmarthenshire County Council for a Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire (STARC) and was awarded more than £16,500.
The project was for the enhancement of the beer garden, bike facilities and covered barbecue area.
The work includes creating additional seating space and landscaping in the beer garden by creating two new levels from the currently unusable section of the garden, enhancing the aspect of the beer garden and maximise the view of the Roman stone bridge and river. A covered decked area has been built for barbecues and outdoor music events.
The grant has also helped to upgrade the dirt car park to tarmac to create a better and cleaner area for customers and at the same time build in bicycle locking facilities to allow users of the trails in the Brechfa Forest to park their bikes securely and use the pub.
Cllr Gravell, who is executive board member for regeneration and leisure, said: “The Black Lion Inn has served visitors and local people for many years and I’m delighted that we have been able to support Mr Rashbrook in upgrading and modernising his facilities.
“Cyclists are an important part of Carmarthenshire’s tourist trade and we have so much to offer them in this county. It is vital that we help tourism businesses to provide the best possible facilities for them.”
STARC received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The aim was to strengthen Carmarthenshire’s position as a year round premier tourist destination.
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