OVER the weekend the share offer pre-launch for the Radnor Arms took place, inviting villagers and those wider afield the chance to learn about the work that The Radnor Arms Community Benefit Society has been undertaking over the past year.

The Radnor Arms closed in 2016 and is currently owned by an interim owner. Securing an interim owner has allowed time for The Radnor Arms Community Benefit Society to organise as many fundraising events as possible, in an attempt to gain as much traction as possible and to raise the funds required to purchase the pub.

Once the share offer has gone live, the hope is that many people will purchase shares and gain their seat at the table. Share holders will have a vote in what happens in relation to the pub.

Brecon and Radnorshire MP, Fay Jones, has had close contact with The Radnor Arms Community Benefit Society during the process of buying back the pub, said: “I'm absolutely delighted to give The Radnor Arms Hotel in New Radnor in my constituency my full support.” 

‘It's been a project that I've been working on with the The Radnor Arms Community Benefit Society for the last couple of years and I was absolutely over the moon last year when the UK government here in Westminster provided £240,000 pounds towards the redevelopment of the pub.”

“We all know that pubs are the heart of rural communities like ours. The Radnor Arms Hotel, bringing it back to life will be a huge boost for the area. 

“So I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone that's been involved so far. It's been a huge journey and one that I've been really proud to support on.”

“But I know we're now looking at the next phase, with shares being made available to members of the community to come and support the pub. So please do come and get involved. Support the pub, buy a share. You'll be so proud of the fact that you have a stake in the most fantastic community asset that is being created.”

“So please get involved. Please give The Radnor Arms your full support. I'll be doing everything I can from this end and I hope I'll be able to see you there for a drink soon.”

The Radnor Arms Community Benefit Society recently commissioned the creation of a new website, which aims to share information about the community ownership grant, which was awarded funding from the UK Government Levelling up Fund to help save the pub.

The community is determined to purchase the pub from the interim owner, as the village has now been without a pub for 8 years.

Once the pub has been purchased from the interim owner, the committee would like to first get the bar operational, with hopes that food service won’t be far behind.

The weekend saw an influx of locals attending events held over three days, Friday at The Hub, Saturday at the Community Centre, and Sunday at the Radnor Arms itself. These events allowed locals to set aside time to visit on any day of their choosing, and to learn of what the committee has been undertaking over the past year and to learn about the share offer.

New Radnor resident, James, who was asked what the Radnor Arms meant to him, said: “A great local pub and a place to come and have a good beer, meet friends and have a chat. The one thing about the Radnor Arms is that it was always open, it was always a place to come and have a drink.” 

James continued: “I will be buying shares in the Radnor Arms when the share offer is open. I think it is important for people to buy shares that will help raise funding for the pub. It will give them a voice in making decisions about how the pub operates going forward.”

“I think the pub is important to the village because it is the heart of the village, it is a very quiet place without a pub, there's no sort of central focus for the village activities. So it is important to get it back and make it the focal point for village life.”

Another longtime village resident, said: “It was great having the pub there when we arrived in 2012. It’s in the village, we could walk there. I can’t drive at night now, so it would mean a lot to stroll down to the pub.”

Committee member, Sue Norton, said: “We are currently seeking the standard mark for the share offer to demonstrate that our campaign to save the Radnor Arms meets national best practice for transparency and fairness” 

“Once the standard mark is achieved the share offer will open.”

Norton continued: “Both the share money and the grants will help us buy the pub from the interim owner and renovate the two bars to start trading, before embarking on the full renovation of the site.” 

“Shares are £25 each (and we would love you to buy lots of them).”

“The strength of a community benefit society is the one member one vote structure that enables everyone to have an equal voice in the Radnor Arms Hotel Limited Community Benefit Society, and secure the pub's future. We are nearly there!”

Chair of The Radnor Arms Community Benefit Society, Martin Lewis, said: “It's the heart of the community. It was a thriving pub. We want to provide a venue as a social hub, and hopefully, that will help with social cohesion."

The share starts at £25 each, and if you are a UK taxpayer, you could be entitled to claim a tax relief of up to 50% on your investment. 

Community spirit remains high, with many in the village of New Radnor eager and excited to get their local pub refurbished and back open. 

You can keep an eye out on The Radnor Arms Community Benefit Society website for updates on the share offer and reopening of the pub.