A COMMUNITY group have taken ownership of a pub in a village in Conwy.

The White Lion Hotel, Cerrigydrudion, has sat empty for more than a year.

Its official new owners are Llew Gwyn Cerrigydrudion Limited, who have watched the once character filled pub shut down.

In a statement, the group said: “The White Lion closed its doors at the end of March 2020 due to Covid. Much to everyone’s dismay, they decided not to reopen. It looked so sad in the middle of the village. We all hoped someone would buy it and reopen but no such luck. Nowhere to meet friends and chat. It felt as though the heart was being ripped out of the village."

A meeting was called at the end of June to see if it was possible for a group from the area to get together and buy the White Lion for the community.

“There was an amazing amount of interest and by the second meeting, two weeks later, there was £475,000 pledged,” the group added.

Following the advice of their solicitors, the group set up a limited company, and thus, Llew Gwyn Cerrigydrudion Limited was formed.

Shares were offered at £5k each allowing the group to purchase the property which also includes a hotel. The money raised will also allow a significant amount of repairs to be done.

The group have also been promised grants from local windmill projects to help with the refurbishments needed. As well as repairs, the group plan to create a traditional Welsh Inn with 12 en suite bedrooms, restaurant, air bnb next door, small caravan park and eventually some pods in the paddock.

The group are hoping to open the doors at the end of September and will be employing people from the area and promoting the Welsh language in every possible way.

The freehold was sold by leisure property specialist Fleurets, who acted on behalf of the seller Tony Davies.