THE appeal to buy the former Corn Exchange pub in Crickhowell High Street is to be extended by one week to help those who have pledged but have been unable to invest and allow more people who have expressed interest to get involved.

£450,000 has already been invested in just one month by nearly 200 people but the campaign organisers say others who have pledged money have been out of contact over the Christmas period and that everyone who wants to invest should be able to do so.

The campaign has also issued a rallying cry, calling on others to join in. Dean Christy, acting chair of Corn Exchange Crickhowell Ltd, said: “Hundreds of people turned out last spring to oppose plans for a national chain convenience store in The Corn Exchange. Thousands wrote letters and signed petitions against them because they thought it would destroy Crickhowell’s unique, independent High Street. Now we are calling on those same people to turn that passion in opposition into positive action by investing in a new future for The Corn Exchange. We specifically reduced the minimum investment to £500 to allow more people to get involved and make it a true community initiative.”

Corn Exchange Crickhowell LTD (CECLtd) wants to use investors’ money to buy and convert The Corn Exchange into flats and small shops – in keeping with the High Street. In return, investors will have a say over what type of businesses and tenants go in there.

Mr Christy said: “This is a rare opportunity for people to have a direct influence over the future of their town. £500 buys 500 shares and 500 votes to decide the future of The Corn Exchange.”

“If, for instance, shareholders vote not to allow any national chains to occupy the shops, then that is what will happen,” he said.

Mr Christy also said “we would like to assure investors that strict control will be exercised over all expenditure and if there are surplus funds on completion of the project, these will be returned to shareholders in accordance with their shareholding”

CECLtd say it is also extending the share offer because some people have had problems investing through the FCA regulated website that it is having to use. CECLtd is holding another infoday and helpdesk session at the Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre, next Saturday, January 9 from 10-4pm. Members of the campaign team will be on hand to help people get through the website.

Anyone who wants to attend the infoday is asked to bring with them the following:

• Email address and password

• National Insurance Number

• A debit card

• Photo card driving licence

• A utility bill with their name on

These will need to be entered into the website.

Anyone who wants to invest can find the website at

www.seedrs.com/corn-exchange-crickhowell1 Help, if needed, can be obtained by emailing [email protected] or calling Peter Roberts on 07939 250602 or Dean Christy on 07850 731514.