The White Lion pub saved after a year of closure

Following advice from solicitors, the group behind saving the pub, Llew Gwyn Cerrigydrudion Limited, was formed after a meeting at the end of June in which the community in Cerrigydrudion pledged a combined £475,000 to save the White Lion.

A spokesperson for Llew Gwyn Cerrigydrudion Limited said: “The White Lion closed its doors at the end of March 2020 due to Covid and much to everyone’s dismay, they decided not to reopen. 

Heart of the village

“It looked so sad in the middle of the village, we all hoped someone would buy it and reopen but no such luck. It felt as though the heart was being ripped out of the village.” 

Members of the limited company were offered shares in the pub, which also operates as a hotel, at £5,000 each which allowed the group to purchase the pub with the remaining funds injected into extensive repairs and refurbishments.

Local windmill projects have also promised grants to towards the refurbishments needed. 

Leisure property specialist Fleurets, the largest firm of Chartered Surveyors in the UK with over 200 years’ experience, sold the freehold on behalf of seller Tony Davies.

The spokesperson added: “The refurbishments will be ongoing starting with essential repairs to the main building, creating a traditional Welsh Inn with twelve en suite bedrooms, restaurant, Airbnb next door, small caravan park and eventually some pods in the paddock. 

Promoting the Welsh language 

“It was a pleasure to deal with Fleurets, the hotel had been of the market for a while before so I am pleased that the community came together to purchase the hotel.”

The White Lion, which will promote the Welsh language in every possible way and employ staff locally, is expected to open to the public at the end of September.