“Ensuring a village is more than just a collection of houses.”
What is a pub? Is it simply somewhere you go for a pint and a quick meal?
Or in today’s world, where we all spend more time online or working from home, and our community spaces become fewer and farther between, is a pub something more?
“It’s made a huge difference to my life,” says retired Helen Jones from Llandwrog, speaking about the re-opening of Ty’n Llan, a community-owned pub near Caernarfon in north Wales.
“It gets me out of the house, and I see everyone. It’s fantastic to be honest.”
Friends gather at Ty’n Llan
Keeping cosy in the winter at Ty’n Llan
The much-loved local closed its doors in 2017, one of 18 pubs shutting each week across Britain during that period. For several years, the building stood empty – a shell in the heart of the village – until word spread in 2021 that it was to be sold. What began as local concern soon grew into a determined community movement to buy and revive the community hub.
“We were coming to the end of lockdown, and people were more aware than ever of the importance of community and connection,” explains Huw Jones, Treasurer of Menter Ty’n Llan, the community enterprise behind the project. “When we heard Ty’n Llan was going on the market, there was a real sense of urgency – no one wanted to see it turned into a private house and lost to the community forever.”
A public meeting was called – over Zoom, as restrictions were still in place – and more than 100 residents joined the call, confirming the strong local appetite to act. The group moved quickly, asking villagers to pledge short-term loans to make an initial offer while setting up a community share scheme to raise long-term funds.
With support from organisations including the Plunkett UK and Cwmpas, the community launched an appeal that captured attention across Wales and beyond. The momentum built rapidly towards the end of the appeal – and they raised £465,200, exceeding their target by £65,200.
The purchase went ahead later in 2021, and by Christmas that year, the pub reopened in its original form while essential refurbishment took place.
Now, after a major redevelopment and extension including interpretations of the local landscape and heritage throughout, Ty’n Llan – a member of Plunkett – is about to fully reopen as a modern hub for both locals and visitors.
“We’ve got all sorts of community groups here at Ty’n Llan. Ty’n Llan Ni is a group for the village’s children and young people, and we do a lot with the local primary school too. Then there’s a monthly meet up for people learning to speak Welsh, a walking group meets here for a cuppa after their walks. There’s a weekly coffee morning and a monthly quiz… it’s a hive of activity here throughout the week to be honest. I think people are grateful to have a warm, safe, welcoming place to come to whenever they want a bit of company or want to feel a part of something.”
Sioned Rowlands, Menter Ty’n Llan’s newly-appointed Community Officer
The pool room during and after renovation
The transformation of Ty’n Llan’s bar area
The restaurant boasts views of the Eifl mountains
Ty’n Llan now boasts five luxury guest rooms, a brand new kitchen, a modern restaurant with views towards the Eifl mountains, and a dedicated community room. In the garden a small kiosk sells essentials such as milk and bread to local residents.
This final transformation has been made possible through substantial grant support, including funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), The National Lottery Community Fund and Arfor.
Previous support had come from the Welsh Government (CFP), the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund and Europe’s Regional Development Fund.
“The support from the community, from across Wales and further afield, has been crucial,” Menter Ty’n Llan’s Treasurer Huw Jones adds. “It’s been incredible to see people with all sorts of skills and experiences coming together, united by a shared goal.”
“A pub like this, which is a social hub for all, can be the beating heart of a community, ensuring a village is more than just a collection of houses. It’s hard work, and it takes time, but if you’ve got a strong community willing to pull together, you can succeed too.”
Ty’n Llan’s official opening night takes place today, Friday 28th November 2025.
Photos credit: Outwest Images
Enjoying a drink in Ty’n Llan’s modernised bar area
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