WITH the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis hitting the hospitality sector hard, pubs, restaurants and hotels are closing en-masse.

However, in one tiny Powys community, the locals are keeping their local going – even though it officially closed 10 months ago – by opening a pop-up pub in the village hall.

Punters in Pant-y-dwr, a tiny hillside community above Rhayader, can still quench their midweek thirst or enjoy a few weekend beers, thanks to a couple of regulars who set up shop in Pant-y-dwr Community Hall.

The doors at the Pub at the Hall, Pant-y-dwr, as it is affectionately known, opened in October, after the closure of the village’s Mid Wales Inn in February. The hall even still hosts the pub’s dominoes and pool teams.

OTHER NEWS:

“A couple of locals decided to run a little bar in our wonderful community centre while the pub is closed,” said Sam Lipscomb, who is both one of the people running the pop-up pub, as well as being the hall’s booking secretary.

“This is helping support local teams like dominoes and pool, who would normally play from the Mid Wales Inn.

“It is also hoping to raise much-needed funds as any profit made will be donated to the hall. We understand that the Mid Wales Inn is in the process of being sold but have no firm news about potential opening dates.”

County Times: The pop-up pub opened its doors at the Pant-y-dwr Community Hall in October. The pop-up pub opened its doors at the Pant-y-dwr Community Hall in October. (Image: Pant-y-dwr Community Hall)

Sam added: “The pub finally closed at the end of February 2023. The dominoes team and pool team are very happy to be playing from the village and we have locals coming in too.

“The atmosphere isn't quite that of a pub but it's still a place people come to meet friends and neighbours. We are very hopeful that the pub will be open soon.”

The Pub at the Hall, Pant-y-dwr Facebook page was created in early October, with an initial post saying: “With the pub currently closed we want to see if we can bring the community together by putting on a bar at the hall.

“Come along and support the dominoes and pool teams during the week or start your weekend with a drink or two in the village. We hope to see you all soon.”

The pub is currently open Monday (from 8.15pm) and Wednesday and Friday (from 7pm), but times are subject to change.

Check out the latest, as well as other activities at the hall, at the Pub at the Hall, Pant-y-Dwr Facebook page.