A Hotel in Machynlleth has slammed Powys County Council’s approach to revamping the town centre after work kicked off outside its front entrance.

The Wynnstay Hotel in Machynlleth has accused the council of showing a “lack of concern” in beginning work to plant new trees along Machynlleth Town Centre with no forewarning about the impact on access the construction work would create.

Powys County Council announced last year that it was to remove a number of trees that had been planted in the 1980s, replacing 19 trees and adding eight more.

However, staff at The Wynnstay Hotel have said that the process has disrupted their proceedings on one of their busiest days.

Matt Tisdale, general manager at the Wynnstay, said: “They arrived outside to dig out the ground in a way that feels invasive and left us with no access and with few options for people coming in at the front of our hotel.

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“People have been forced to go around to other entrances, which has caused numerous issues with guests as no one has direct access to the street from the hotel.

“Some amount of warning would have been appreciated, as we would have had time to inform residents and put up some signage, but as it is we have had to just roll with it.

“I understand the work needs to be carried out, and I’m sure the end result will be nice, but it’s an inconvenience and a disruption while it’s here.”

Powys County Council had previously stated that access would be maintained at all times during the construction period, which would be undertaken in small areas at a time to minimise any disruption.

The initial work involves altering the street surfaces to improve planting areas before putting the trees in place in August 2023.

Wynnstay owner Charles Dark said: “Powys know that Wednesday is Market Day, a busy day where the disruption will be felt the most.

“If we had been consulted we could have recommended Thursday as a more suitable day to carry out the work with our earlier closing hours.

“As it is, they’ve gone about it in a way that ensures maximum inconvenience and negative impact.”

Powys County Council was contacted for comment.