Wrexham Pub To Become Welsh Cultural Centre

A community venture is hoping to turn a landmark Wrexham pub into a cultural centre for all things Welsh.

Canolfan Gymraeg Wrecsam is a cooperative which is looking to turn the Seven Stars pub on Chester Street in Wrexham into a cultural centre offering Welsh food, real ale and language classes.

Wrexham.com received a tour around the historic listed building and listened to some impressive proposals for it at a meeting held for potential investors on Thursday evening.

The meeting was opened by Plaid Cymru Councillor Marc Jones who is a member of the board behind the project, he said: “We want this project to be a permanent legacy of the Eisteddfod in Wrexham, which went so well.

“It’s an inclusive and accommodating venture, we’re trying to get away from the idea that there are a bunch of English speakers and a bunch of Welsh speakers.”

The pub, which will become known as Y Saith Seren, has already been bought on the co-operative’s behalf by Clwyd Alyn Housing Association for £150,000 and they are currently negotiating a rent with the housing group.

As part of the agreement Clwyd Alyn will also carry out thousands of pounds worth of repair work on the building.

Phase One of Canolfan Gymraeg’s plan is to open the downstairs area as a cafe bar with a running kitchen selling local food and real ales, which they hope to achieve by the start of December with the recruitment process for staff due to start next week.

Phase Two will involve the refurbishment of the upstairs area into offices and meeting rooms where Welsh language classes will be held and members of the community can hire out rooms.

With a local brewer on the board there are also irons in the fire for the group to have their own microbrewery at Y Saith Seren and live events will also be held along with screenings of major Welsh sporting events.

Regarding the group’s financial backing Mr Jones said: “We’ve already got £21,000 in the bank and we need £60,000, we also had lots of promises yesterday so it’s definitely achievable.

“£60,000 will ensure that we have enough money to buy kitchen stock, kit out the bar and it will give us enough working capital to get through the Christmas period.”

He also appealed for anyone interested in volunteering to help out with the venture to get in touch.

Investors are invited to give between £100 and up to £20,000 which will see them receive an equal stake within the co-operative.

They have also set up an agreement with Wrexham Credit Union, whereby anyone wishing to invest can take out a loan to put into the venture.

If you’re interested in investing in the project then you can read a prospectus and buy shares at http://saithseren.com/?page_id=15