A CARDIGAN company is fronting a new campaign to showcase the contribution of social enterprises to the Welsh economy.

Community regeneration enterprise Menter Aberteifi is being featured in ‘Go Full Circle’ a national campaign to raise the profile of social enterprises, businesses with primarily social or community objectives.

Set up towards the end of the 1990s recession, the community regeneration company canvasses support for and implements projects for the benefit of the local area.

Among notable projects is the restoration of the Guildhall in Cardigan. Hosting everything from coffee mornings to wedding fairs, concerts to exercise classes, the venue is an established hub for the community which has made a huge difference to the wellbeing of the area.

Since being renovated, the Guildhall has welcomed around 25,000 visitors per year through its doors and taken on three full-time members of staff.

Other projects run by Menter Aberteifi include Cardigan’s River and Food Festival, which attracts up to 10,000 visitors a year.

Running throughout September, the ‘Go Full Circle’ campaign will highlight the varied nature of social enterprises in Wales, challenge common myths around the business model and educate people on the importance of a thriving social economy.

Julian Beynon-Lewis, Menter Aberteifi chairman, said: “Menter Aberteifi has been at the forefront of social and community regeneration projects for more than 15 years; during which time we’ve carried out numerous projects, attracting millions of pounds of investment into Cardigan and employing up to eight local people.

“Being able to operate a commercially sound business while staying true to our ethical values is something that’s really important to us.”