Classic bus in town tourism drive

All aboard: the 1962 Leyland Tiger Cub is from Nottinghamshire

A classic bus is using nostalgic appeal with the hope of driving up tourist numbers in Powys.

A company set up by Welshpool Town Council is running the Leyland Tiger Cub bus to and from tourist spots such as Powis Castle and a steam railway.

Town clerk Robert Robinson said the idea came from residents.

Last year about 30,000 people visited Welshpool (population: around 6,200), about 1,300 of them from overseas.

It is one of a number of initiatives designed to boost tourism.

The bus service started last Friday and Mr Robinson said it had proved quite popular.

Powis Castle is one of mid Wales' main tourist attractions

Welshpool Projects Ltd, which is owned by the town council, is running the classic bus service in partnership with local company Tanat Valley Coaches.

"This is one of a number of initiatives designed to boost tourism in Welshpool," added Mr Robinson.

"We are confident there are enough visitors to Welshpool to make this viable and hopefully more will visit as a result.

"We received some feedback from local people who said they wanted to see Welshpool step back in time a bit in its feel."

Welshpool has two main tourist attractions, Powis Castle, which is owned by the National Trust, and the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway.

The bus will run to and from these sites during the tourist season, but it will also stop at a number of forthcoming events in the town such as a country and western festival and an air show.

In March, Welshpool council said it was looking at plans to reintroduce a narrow gauge steam railway to the town centre for the first time in nearly 50 years.

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