Llandyrnog village has, over recent years, suffered the loss of two pubs, the butchers, and a large creamery. Therefore, the subsequent threat of closure of the local shop and Post Office was seen as a “call to action” for the local community.
Plans were put into place to purchase the building to safeguard the Post Office, and reopen the adjoining grocery shop as a community asset, which will be owned and managed by the local people.
The group leading the project quite rightly felt that the Covid-19 pandemic significantly increased social isolation and highlighted the importance of community cohesion. Therefore, they are also planning to expand the project by opening a coffee shop and creating a community hub.
An initial public meeting was attended by hundreds of residents and, since then, levels of support have continued to grow, as illustrated by the results of a questionnaire circulated. The Head Teacher of the local primary school has also expressed unwavering support and the desire for schoolchildren to play an important role in running and stocking the shop.
The group have decided to operate under a Community Benefit Society model, allowing members to have a genuine say in how the business is run.
I have been pleased to meet and provide advice to the project leader, Emyr Morris and I have visited the shop and post office with him on a number of occasions. I was also pleased to welcome the Secretary of State for Wales, David T C Davies MP to visit Llandyrnog to see for himself the benefits of the project for the local community.
The level of ambition and enthusiasm of Emyr and his team is impressive, and I have been keen to support their endeavours in any way possible.
The group have successfully raised the funding required to purchase the building and being redevelopment. The UK Government's Community Ownership Fund awarded the group £200,000 to allow their proposals to become a reality. They have also been awarded funding from the Community Facilities Programme and have successfully raised the rest of the funding through a community share scheme.
The project can now move to the next stage. The group are keen to speak to anyone who is able to volunteer to support the redevelopment and reopening of the shop. For further information please visit: https://llandyrnogshop.com/en/home/
