An award-winning Llanidloes hotel and restaurant has announced it will close at the end of the month due to ongoing financial challenges that have “made it impossible to continue”.
The Trewythen Hotel and its Chartists 1770 restaurant opened three years ago by Welshpool-based Cambrian Training Company, which had gone on to win two AA rosettes in 2022/23 and four AA red stars.
The Grade II-listed Georgian building will close its doors to the public on Thursday, October 31, for the board of directors to consider its future options.
In an announcement to customers on Monday (October 14), the owners said it had made the decision “with a very heavy heart and after considerable consideration”.
“Despite our best efforts, the current economic conditions have made it impossible to continue operating in a sustainable manner,” the business said.
“Cambrian Training Company opened The Trewythen in May 2021 as a business unit to support our apprenticeship delivery which is our core activity. With significant pressure on the apprenticeship budget in Wales the board of directors have had to take some difficult decisions to protect the future financial sustainability of the company.
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“Over the past several months, we have seen a significant change in market trends and customer behaviour which has impacted on our ability to maintain the high standards of service and experience at The Trewythen and Chartists 1770.
“We are deeply grateful for the loyalty and support of our wonderful customers and dedicated team. It has been an honour to serve you, and we are proud of everything that we have accomplished together.
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"We know that this will leave a significant hole in the market town of Llanidloes and will leave a gap in the weekly lives of the community that visit The Trewythen for meetings, coffee and cake and our senior citizens lunches.
"Our immediate priority is to our staff who have been consulted throughout and our team are supporting them during this time in securing alternative employment."
Cambrian Training Company invested £250,000 to launch the project, which along with rooms, accommodated indoor and outdoor dining facilities.
Speaking ahead of the hotel and restaurant's opening in 2021, managing director Arwyn Watkins said: “If we can get the business template right by bringing life back into such a prominent building in the centre of Llanidloes, there is nothing to stop us from doing the same in other towns in the future.
“We are creating an opportunity to show people that the hospitality industry, which is very close to my heart, can provide really good careers.
“This exciting new venture demonstrates Cambrian Training Company’s pasture to plate ethos.”
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