Tapping into local tourism could help boost local economy in Cefn Mawr

A public meeting has highlighted the need to tap into local tourism to help boost visitor numbers and the local economy in Cefn Mawr.

It was organised by David Metcalfe, a member of the Cefn Mawr Community Council and the owner of the Holly Bush Inn and neighbouring Ebenezer Chapel.

Mr Metcalfe plans to convert part of the chapel into the world’s first citizen science led Climate Crisis Mitigation Centre.

The meeting was attended by a wide variety of local stakeholders, including Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes.

A number of topics were discussed, including the Government’s Levelling Up fund, and the sale of retail premises for renovation into houses and increasing tourist footfall in the village.

During the meeting, it was explained that despite the Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site and the Ty Mawr Country Park attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area each year, this has not translated into increased footfall on the high street in Cefn Mawr.

There have long been attempts to tap into tourism at the neighbouring World Heritage Site, with hopes that the recently awarded Levelling Up funding for Clwyd South could help that dream turn into a reality.,

Speaking after the meeting, David Metcalfe said: “Simon Baynes kindly came to visit the Retail, Hospitality & Catering sector of our community and discuss the current economic situation in Cefn Mawr after approximately 13 years of post-industrial depression.

“He met with local business owners and artists that would like to see the Ebenezer Chapel kept open as a major tourist attraction for our community.

“He heard the need for linking up with the aqueduct and answered questions regarding the Government Levelling Up Fund.

“He promised to make information available regarding such where the UK government has stated that Cefn Mawr is to be linked in.

“He supported our drive towards Sustainable Tourism Development and we as a small sector of our community, thought the meeting went well.

“We are now looking forward of being advised as to exactly where the £4.2m of funding is going to be spent.

“We can then assess how this can be used to redress the current dire economic situation as pointed out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in March 2023, where our community is now named as the second poorest in Wrexham and one of the poorest in NE Wales.”

Simon Baynes MP said: “It was a pleasure to meet local stakeholders in the Ebenezer Chapel and discuss the future economy of Cefn Mawr.

“It is these kinds of initiatives that demonstrate the desire of the community to improve the local economy, and I have nothing but praise for David Metcalfe and all that he has done to support the community in Cefn Mawr.”