Gwesty’r Tŵr

Menter y Tŵr

Future of historic High Street building secure under community ownership

Grade II

Gwesty'r Tŵr (Tower Hotel) is a landmark historic building situated on the High Street of the market town of Pwllheli. Built around 1875 in an Italianate classical style, the hotel is spread over four storeys consisting of 16 guest bedrooms, a ballroom, a restaurant and a bar. To the rear is a stable block and outbuildings surrounding a courtyard. It was once a bustling business, regularly hosting weddings and other social gatherings, and holds a special place in the heart of the community. Ownership of the building had passed through many hands and the doors eventually closed in 2019. In August 2022, it was put on the open market.

In recent years, other large hotels in Pwllheli have been purchased by private landlords and converted into temporary, sheltered accommodation, but without the support the individuals need. This is having a detrimental impact on the individuals and the town. The community were determined that Gwesty'r Tŵr would not suffer the same fate.

Menter y Tŵr is a community benefit society set up with the aim of securing the ownership of Gwesty'r Tŵr for the benefit of the community. In October 2023, it launched a community share offer with a target figure of £400,000. Just six weeks later, more than 1,300 people had invested over £500,000, demonstrating the strength of support for the project. This enabled the Society to acquire the freehold of the site and complete emergency repairs to the hotel façade. Menter y Tŵr is now planning a phased re-opening of the site, all under community ownership, which will provide a mix of uses, including a pub, café/restaurant, function rooms, meeting rooms, and co-working offices in the hotel. The stables to the rear of the site will be conserved and opened as makerspaces, workshops and street food stalls.

The AHF is supporting Menter y Tŵr Trust with a Project Development Grant, awarded in March 2024. This is contributing towards commissioning a multi-disciplinary design team, led by a conservation architect, to complete structural surveys and develop the architectural plans through to the end of RIBA Stage 4.

www.ytwr.cymru

AHF Funding

Project Development Grant - £39,875 (March 2024)

Photo credit

Gareth Jenkins Photography