A charity has been forced to clarify that it is not a biker gang after its bid to move to an historic site in Welshpool led to public concerns being raised at a council meeting.

The charity is in talks with the town council to move into the town’s Motte and Bailey site, with the group’s founder saying they “don’t want to step on anyone’s toes” following some concern from the public.

Concerns were raised at a town council meeting on Wednesday, November 20, when members of the public reacted to news that a “biker gang” was looking to move in, citing the “reputational risk” and “intimidation” they’ve experienced with biker groups.

But one of the organisers of the group, called Welsh Bikers for Suicide Prevention, has clarified that the group was formed 18 months ago as a way to offer therapy for people struggling with mental health.

Organiser Jeff Green said: “I know people who have struggled with the traditional NHS counselling route when it comes to mental health, just as it’s not something they’ve personally clicked with.

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“We wanted to look for ways of creating space encouraging men to take part in activities they’d find interesting. What we’ve found is that men tend to open up while doing something not related to what they need to talk about.

“So what we ended up doing revolved around motorbikes, fixing them, training to ride them, working on a project that took people’s mind off the therapy side of treatment and helped them open up.

“As part of putting that together I’ve contacted motorcycle clubs who’ve helped supply equipment and advice, but what we want to do in Welshpool is not a racetrack or a clubhouse or anything like that, it’d just be a place to meet, work and talk.  

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“We’re actually already based in Welshpool, but wanted to find a more convenient home. We knew we’d want it away from houses so as not to disrupt any residents but also not in the middle of nowhere so it could be easily found.

“When we heard the town council were looking for someone to take on the old football club building on the Motte and Bailey site, it ticked a lot of boxes.

“We don’t want to step on anybody’s toes and we want to be totally transparent in what we’re doing, as well as put in the time and effort to make it a presentable space.”

The group will be making a presentation to Welshpool Town Council's next meeting on November 27, for their pitch on taking on the site.