CARDIGAN’S Tourist Information Centre is to shut due to a lack of cash.

The decision to close the TIC was made at a cabinet meeting of Ceredigion County Council last week.

The authority previously agreed that a £25,000 reduction in the TIC service budget was required. In August, the closure of New Quay TIC saved £5,000 and the remaining £20,000 will be made at Cardigan.

The way visitor information is offered in Cardigan will now be looked into further and discussions are being held with Cardigan Castle with a view to the castle providing visitor information in the future.

The move to close the centre at Theatr Mwldan had been strongly opposed by Cardigan Town Council but those protests fell on deaf ears.

Cabinet member responsible for economy and regeneration, Cllr Rhodri Evans said: “Supporting tourism in Ceredigion is a priority for the council. This decision was not taken lightly, and was done after years of severe cuts to council budgets.

“We will do everything we can to make sure that there is another way that visitor information can be offered in Cardigan. This is important to support tourism in a flourishing town.

“The staff at Cardigan Tourist Information Centre have assisted many thousands of visitors, as well as tourism businesses, over the years. I would like to thank them for their dedication and commitment to the promotion of Cardigan and Ceredigion.”

A TIC has operated from Theatr Mwldan in Cardigan since the 1980s. Ceredigion Council will continue to provide an all year TIC service at Aberystwyth and Aberaeron.