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We confirm with a heavy heart the closure of CAT’s visitor centre to day visitors from 09 November 2023. It will remain open for students, educational group visits, events, and courses.
Sadly, 14 positions are at risk at CAT and a full consultation is taking place across at least 14 days. Staff wellbeing is of utmost priority, and we are providing specialist support to staff during this difficult time.
This decision has been made due to a number of factors, during a challenging time for the charity sector in the UK. The combination of rising running costs, reduced visitor numbers to Wales post-pandemic and funding delays have made it economically unviable to continue operating the visitor centre in its current model — despite our best efforts to mitigate these factors.
The closure of the current visitor centre to day visitors will, however, allow CAT to focus on strengthening economically viable aspects of its operations — helping us deliver on our mission to create and share practical solutions to tackle the climate and nature emergency.
CAT remains strongly committed to its proposed wider redevelopment plans, which feature significant improvements to the visitor offer. These proposals remain under consideration for funding from the Mid Wales Growth Deal and other sources. Once secured, these funds will ensure CAT can re-open to day visitors, providing additional tourism and education opportunities for the communities of Mid Wales and beyond.
In the meantime, the Graduate School of the Environment, short course delivery, group visits and Zero Carbon Britain Hub and Innovation Lab are unaffected — allowing CAT to continue its vital work in providing green skills for the future.
As a charity, CAT relies on income from visitors, learners and supporters to cover the costs of its environmental education and research provisions. If you would like to make a donation to CAT, please visit: cat.org.uk/join-donate/
For further information, including what to do if you have an existing booking or voucher, please visit our FAQ page.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
