4CG in Cardigan is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

4CG - or to use its full name Cymdeithas Cynnal a Cefnogi Cefn Gwlad or the Society to Sustain and Support the Rural Countryside” - is a co-operative organisation set up to ‘advance community development through the regeneration of Cardigan and the surrounding area’.

It was established by a small group of locals that strongly felt there were many opportunities within Cardigan to increase community cohesion, enhance its surroundings and to take small steps to help improve the local economy – and that a determined and focused organisation could make a difference.

The group’s focus on developing the local community and economy stems from understanding the benefits that local trade brings.

4CG’s Shan Williams said: “Large corporations siphon money out of the local economy, providing little in return.

“While chains and large supermarkets provide convenience and the promise of jobs – the reality is that they displace local businesses and their profits - rather than being reinvested back into the local economy – go to distant shareholders.

“When you shop locally, the profits are reinvested time and time again. Each pound spent, is then spent again by the owner and employees of the shop - meaning that £100 spent in a local store contributes, on average, £600 to the local economy.

“Research by Nottingham University has shown the same amount in large supermarket contributes just 25p.”

There have been many milestones and national awards given to 4CG during the past 10 years, which all started back in January 2010 when the Pwllhai town centre site in Cardigan came up for sale.

On May 25, 2010, a campaign launched to buy the site via a share offer with Credcare’s help.

It was not straightforward and Shan Williams ended up phoning every Allied Irish bank – the site’s owner - in the UK to negotiate an extension on the time allowed to purchase it as a deadline loomed for the completion of the sale.

Eventually, with help from Cris Tomos, the sale went through on December 31, 2010.

In May 2011 the car parks opened offering cheaper parking than the county council to encourage local shoppers to return to the town centre. The money raised from the car parking went towards paying off the mortgage.

In July 2011, Preswylfa was let, while children’s centre Jig-So moved onto the site in October that year.

The Eco Shop followed in April 2012, while Bronwydd House was bought in October.

And as the project went from strength to strength, in the summer and autumn 2013, 4CG worked with Nottingham University regarding the true value of the local £1

Awards have followed for Cardigan over the ensuing years, winning the UK Towns Alive competition and being finalists in the Great British High Street.

“4CG works with the community on a range of projects that support and invest in local enterprises,” added Shan.

“Wherever possible we align our work with the priorities set out in the The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act that aims to focus public bodies to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.”