This page was updated on 11.07.25
At the start of 2024, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) announced the intention to finish running the café and shop in their visitor centres from 31 March 2025, including Ceredigion's Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian and in Ynyslas.
In July 2025, NRW announced a marketing process to find new operators for Bwlch Nant yr Arian and Coed y Brenin, hoping to award contracts by April 2026.
The information is arranged from the most recent to the oldest. Scroll down to see previous events.
Securing the Future of Ceredigion’s Visitor Centres
In late 2024, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) announced its intention to withdraw retail and catering services from three of its most popular visitor centres: Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Ynyslas, and Coed y Brenin. The decision prompted widespread concern across Ceredigion and Gwynedd, with local communities, staff, and elected representatives urging NRW to reconsider.
The centres at Nant yr Arian and Ynyslas are not only well-loved by residents and visitors alike—they also play a vital role in supporting Ceredigion’s rural economy and promoting environmental education. In response, Elin Jones MS worked closely with local councillors and community groups to press NRW to keep the centres operational until a new partner could be appointed.
Despite these efforts, NRW proceeded with its decision to close the retail and catering services from 31 March 2025. This means that for at least the next 12 months, there will be no food or retail provision at either site—leaving a significant gap in the visitor experience whilst a new contractor is decided upon.
In response, Elin said; "There is a real urgency now to identify the long-term futures of both centres. Mobile and short-term contractor provision cannot be allowed to continue for longer than one summer. There are willing partners out there for these Centres and NRW needs to act promptly to capture these local interests. Longer-term mothballing of these two important facilities is in nobody’s best interest, especially the local community.”
9 July 2025 – NRW launches marketing exercise
NRW has now confirmed that it will begin a formal marketing process in November 2025 to find new operators for Bwlch Nant yr Arian and Coed y Brenin. The aim is to award contracts by April 2026.
The organisation is seeking community groups or businesses to take over the running of retail and catering services. The process will be managed via the Sell2Wales portal.
May 2025 – Deadline give to NRW
Following pressure from the public and elected representatives, the Welsh Government gave NRW a three-month deadline to develop a viable plan for the future of the three sites. Elin urged the NRW to act quickly to ensure the future of the visitor centres.
31 March 2025 – Services close
Retail and catering services at all three centres officially ceased operation. However, NRW confirmed that paths, trails, toilets, car parks, and play areas remain open to the public.
November 2024 – campaign to secure the visitor centres future
Elin Jones MS called for delays to the closures until new operators could be found. She attended protests, met with NRW officials, and supported local groups interested in taking over the services.
“Natural Resources Wales’ decision to close the catering and retail operations at Bwlch Nant yr Arian and Ynyslas is extremely disappointing, and will impact local residents, communities, and the wider economy. We are concerned about the staff members affected by this decision, who have worked diligently over the years to make both centres much loved facilities among both locals and visitors alike. It is important to me that there should be no cut in the services offered in Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian and Ynyslas for the sake of all visitors, from far and wide.”
November 2024 – NRW Confirms Closures
NRW announced that retail and catering services would end on 31 March 2025. 120 staff members are directly impacted by changes to the organisational structure, which have now been approved by NRW’s board, as the organisation tries to make significant cost savings. NRW yesterday announced ‘NRW will streamline its activities and concentrate its resources on delivering essential services that only it can provide’. This will include enhancing efforts in improving water quality and monitoring. Plaid Cymru representatives, Elin Jones MS, Ben Lake MP and Cllr Rhodri Davies urged NRW to act swiftly to secure the future of the visitor centres.