Powys 'committed' to Llandrindod Wells lake restaurant

A council says it has no plans to sell a lakeside restaurant which campaigners claim is a vital tourist attraction.

More than 100 people held a linked-hands demonstration around the council-owned Lakeside Restaurant in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, this month.

Powys council will shut the venue, said to be losing £1,000 per week, at the end of the season for refurbishment.

But it insists it is committed to its "long-term future" when it makes fresh attempts to find a new operator.

Campaigners claim the restaurant is popular with local people and tourists and is a major draw for visitors to come to the town.

The authority says the venue's loses are unsustainable.

The council's cabinet agreed in March to refurbish the restaurant before attempts are made to attract a private operator, prompting this month's protest.

The council said media reports that it planned to sell the venue were unfounded as it had no plans to sell the building.

Coun Garry Banks, cabinet member for property, said the craft shop and toilets in the restaurant building would remain open during the refurbishment.

"I would like to reassure the public that the council is committed to the long-term future of this facility," he said.

"A working group, which local member Coun Tom Turner is also part of, has been established and will oversee the refurbishment project before we make new attempts to attract a private operator.

"Our intention is to have the facility refurbished by September 2013 but in the meantime, we will start looking at the tendering exercise and will advertise when this is happening to interested parties.

"Everything will be done to minimise the length of the closure."