Coleg Ceredigion is has secured a £300,000 grant from the Welsh Government to develop a multi-purpose Welsh Language centre in Cardigan.

The centre which the college plans to name “Y Man a’r Lle” will be built on Coleg Ceredigion’s Cardigan campus and will be a focal point for educational, social and cultural activities through the medium of Welsh.

Councillor Catrin Miles said: "I think this is excellent news for the area. We already have a centre for primary school children which children can go to. This will be a great development for Cardigan and the surrounding area which will help with Welsh speakers and those moving to the area."

The Centre will help strengthen the town’s Welsh infrastructure enabling the local population and economy to provide services which will support ventures such as Cardigan Castle in the future.

The centre will provide, a permanent base for Welsh language organisations in the town enabling the sharing of good practice and networking ; an informal meeting place for the community and students to enjoy; a purpose built centre that will enable students to undertake vocational training in areas such as catering and hospitality; a centre where school pupils and college students can work on joint Welsh medium academic and practical projects and a surgery for local businesses to gain advice and guidance on using Welsh in the workplace.

College Principal, Jacqui Weatherburn, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received this funding. The Centre will provide a strong focal point for Welsh medium and bilingual activities in Cardigan strengthening the status of the Welsh language in the town and surrounding area. It also provides an excellent opportunity to further extend Coleg Ceredigion’s award winning Welsh language and bilingual work into the wider community.”

Speaking on the investment, First Minister, Carwyn Jones, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce that six new Welsh Language centres will be created across Wales with the support of over £1.5m of capital funding.

"Increasing the use of the Welsh Language in daily life is at the centre of our vision within Bwrw Mlaen.

"The development of these multi-purpose language centres and learning spaces will play key role in achieving that."