Holiday Company Works with Community Council to Help Secure Future of Village Asset
By working with the Llanfaelog Community Council, Anglesey Holiday Lettings a local management agency for many of the village’s holiday properties has assisted in securing the ongoing future of the Rhosneigr Library.
The Rhosneigr library, located at the heart of the village was designated as Tier 3 in the recent library service review by Anglesey council. This designation meant that without support from the community council or other parties, the library would close.
Opening four times a week and playing host to a range of regular groups and activities the library is part of the network of Anglesey libraries giving access to books, films and IT services. In addition, there is an area offering information on places to visit and things to see locally.
Following a review and lengthy consideration, the community council agreed that it would be difficult to commit to the additional expenditure on an already stretched budget to sustain the current operation. By ‘thinking outside the box’ a partnership was agreed with businessman James Miles, which has enabled the existing service to endure. The agreed solution will see the existing space being used in a number of ways, maintaining the existing library provision with some business space for Anglesey Holiday Lettings.
James Miles said “I am delighted with the news that the community council’s proposal has been accepted and, through partnership working we have arrived at a solution to retain our library. Like many people, I find it frustrating and disheartening to hear of so many cuts being made, but as a businessman, I understand that all these amenities cost money and need to be viable and sustainable. Whilst our business outwardly operates to support the tourism industry in the village, we are very much focussed on the village and community itself and are proud to contribute to the local economy both by employing a number of local people and bringing in repeat, year-round visitor spend.”
Councillor Richard Dew said “As both a local resident and a councillor it is great to see the public and private sector coming together in this innovative way, making the best use of resources and maintaining such a valuable asset for the use and enjoyment of all the community”
The changes, which will be in place as soon as possible, will retain the books and computer service to all, and the community meeting place for groups.
North Wales Tourism have expressed an interest in developing the tourist information area in line with similar work they have done in neighbouring Gwynedd. This would further boost the village of Rhosneigr as it would be the only Tourist Information Centre on Anglesey.
Jim Jones, MD of North Wales Tourism commented “Any destination serious about enhancing a visitor experience should have an information service. It remains core to the destination’s infrastructure, and visitors expect it.
I am really pleased to learn that Anglesey Holiday Lettings are working with the Community Council to take on the village library with the plan to provide a visitor information service”.