THE Beacons in Brecon bed and breakfast establishment in Llanfaes, Brecon, is under new ownership after it was sold recently for £495,000.

The new owners are Francesca and Neal Gardner who are new to the B&B industry.

The 14-bedroom Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse, in Bridge Street, was sold in a deal brokered by Colliers International and comes with two barns suitable for conversion at the rear.

The new owners plan to rename the property Pen y Fan Guest House.

Francesca, a former nurse who is originally from Chelmsford in Essex, said: “You can see the Brecon Beacons from the street outside, so we are hoping this new name will help steer the business in a whole new direction.”

She and husband Neal, who was born and raised locally, are planning a phased refurbishment of the premises on a room-by-room basis. However the business will remain open throughout the renovations.

“I’m really excited about it – we are hoping to give the place a little TLC, beginning with repainting the whole building inside and out,” she said.

“Further down the line we are hoping to convert the two barns into more rooms or holiday cottages – but this is very much a long-term project,” Neal said.

Peter Brunt, a director with Colliers International’s Hotels team, said: “The Beacons occupies a prominent position in Bridge Street. Unusually, the property boasts a Georgian façade on a farmhouse dating back to the 17th century.

“Brecon is a magnet for walkers, cyclists and families visiting Christ College school, as well as an excellent base to explore the surrounding Brecon Beacons.”