A former tourist information centre has been given a new lease of life as a community hub after a major refurbishment.

The building in Groe Car Park, Builth Wells, had been empty for six years before it was leased by Builth Wells Community Support from Powys County Council on a 30-year agreement.

A £45,860 grant, awarded through the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns programme, funded extensive improvements including a new kitchen, refurbished toilet facilities, solar panels, modern electric heating, new flooring, built-in storage, new furniture, and a new security system. The centre has also received a five-star food hygiene rating following an inspection.

Now called Together In the Community (TIC), the hub is being used by a wide range of groups, including Age Cymru, Simply Nails, RNID, Cymraeg i Blant De Powys, Builth YFC, PAVO Community Connectors, Builth Ladies’ Choir, South Parkinsons Support Group, Mid and North Powys MIND, Community Support Lunch Club and Builth Heritage Society. It also hosts Warm Space sessions during colder months and provides a base for a satellite branch of Llandrindod Wells Foodbank.

Builth Wells Community Support, which has more than 600 members, offers services such as community transport, shopping and prescription deliveries, a lunch club, and befriending schemes across Builth and surrounding villages.

The centre officially opened in September and is now regularly used by 10 local groups and organisations.

Cathy Warlow, Manager of Builth Wells Community Support, said: "We are thrilled to have taken on the lease of the TIC, transforming the building into a valuable asset for the local community.

“This initiative enhances the range of services available in the area and further strengthens our charity."

The Transforming Towns programme in Mid Wales is supported by Powys and Ceredigion County Councils’ Economic Development and Regeneration teams.

Cllr David Selby, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a more Prosperous Powys said: “I’m pleased to see a prominent empty Powys building being brought back into use with the help of the Transforming Towns programme.

“Builth Wells Community Support are doing sterling work to help some of our most vulnerable residents and this investment will help to broaden the range of services they, and their partners, are able to offer and make them more accessible.”

The Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme is focused on supporting the vibrancy of our town centres, developing green infrastructure, enabling job creation, and improving community facilities and access to services.

Housing secretary, Jayne Bryant, said: “Our Transforming Towns Programme is helping to bring disused buildings back to life, revitalising our town centres and boosting local economies.

“I’m so pleased to see the refurbishment work in Builth Wells town centre. Our investment in Mid Wales is supporting local communities to shape the regeneration of their town centres, creating employment and volunteering opportunities and improving access to services.”

The project has also been supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, NFU Mutual and Co-op Local Community Fund.

The contractors working on it included Builth Building Services, J Kelham Electric and Graham Flooring.