Council purchase former B&B on Chester Road to support those in ‘desperate need of help’

Wrexham Council has revealed it has purchased a large property on Chester Road to help cover a housing gap as emergency accommodation at Wrexham Glyndwr University ceases, and Ty Nos gets redeveloped.

The old bed and breakfast guest house – situated on the corner of Chester Road and Penymaes Avenue – will be used to provide homeless services.

At the end of a 12 month period it will either be sold off, or a full planning application submitted to sustain the arrangement.

As we reported in September, at the start of the pandemic Welsh Government asked local authorities to remove rough sleepers from the streets and to rehouse them in temporary accommodation, locally that took place at disused accommodation at the Plas Coch end of the Glyndwr University campus.

In August we reported how Wrexham Council was looking at an ‘alternative building’ to buy to use as a replacement while Tŷ Nos gets redeveloped, along with several other properties being purchased, which was described as ‘a medium-term solution ‘. The decision was taken during a Part 2 secret session of the Council’s Executive Board.

We are told the ex-B&B was offered for £799,950 however with Land Transaction Tax, various legal costs and fixtures and fittings the final price could be closer to £900.000 but it was hoped negotiations could mean a lower figure was achieved. No final figure has been released by Wrexham Council today.

Today Wrexham Council have made the acquisition public, saying: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on everyone’s lives – not least those people who are vulnerable, and who’ve suffered financial and emotional hardship ,any individuals and families who didn’t need our support before the pandemic, are now in need of urgent help from the council and its partners.

“As a result, we’ve responded to the needs of local people and successfully acquired 19 units of supported accommodation in the form of an established bed and breakfast situated within the town centre at 36 Chester Road, Wrexham.

“This will provide accommodation and ‘wrap around’ services to help get people back on their feet.

“The facility will be fully supported by an on-site team, and will be part of a wider portfolio of accommodation.

“Although the pandemic has created hardship for many people, it’s also shown how communities can come together to help each other during difficult times. Providing this accommodation and support for people who find themselves in desperate need of help, is another example of how Wrexham is pulling together to get through this difficult time.”

The purchase of the property could also be followed with more properties being acquired, the council have publicly said they are “Identifying and buying five additional properties for use as ‘general need accommodation’ that can be used in different situations to support people who are homeless.”

The Tŷ Nos redevelopment to provide more permanent accommodation for a ‘triage facility’ will also see a new build section to give 30 self contained units.