HUNDREDS of people toured the newly converted Corn Exchange in Crickhowell during the town’s late-night shopping event. They included shareholders, potential tenants, the Brecon and Radnor MP, Chris Davies, and the Deputy Leader of the Green Party, Amelia Womack. They met the new shopkeepers, viewed a display telling the story of the project and were able to pick up forms to apply for shares in The Corn Exchange and for remaining shop and flats to rent.
After her visit, Amelia Womack, said: “It was inspiring to see how the people of Crickhowell have kept their High Street in community hands. The Corn Exchange is a wonderful initiative and it was great to see local and sustainable businesses opening their doors for the first time. I’ll be talking about this everywhere I go, as an example of what can be achieved when communities come together.”
Chris Davies MP, said: “I had a fantastic visit to the new Corn Exchange. There is a real buzz around Crickhowell and this project has united the community in a way most could not have anticipated. The Corn Exchange team have worked relentlessly and the state-of-the-art finish shows just what can be achieved when a community comes together.
Both Crickhowell’s new traders operated pop-up shops for the evening, ahead of fitting out their new units.
Chloe Masefield, of Wales’ first zero waste shop, Natural Weigh, said: “What a welcome! Our pop-up shop was more popular than we had ever expected and the lovely people of Crickhowell gave us such an enthusiastic and positive reception we were overwhelmed. The problem of plastic pollution is one which resonates with so many people and it was great to hear that this issue is so well recognised here, with many people making positive changes already. The work done by the team renovating the Corn Exchange has been incredible and the community spirit which has driven the project was clear in everyone we spoke to. We can’t wait to be a part of this community and to open our doors to customers keen to join the zero waste revolution.”
And Darryl Evans of Odonnell Bakehouse said: “Michelle and I were genuinely overwhelmed by the warm welcome and positive feedback we received from everyone at this year’s Christmas Late Night Shopping event. It was a lovely evening and the fabulous reaction of everyone we met to the transformation of the Corn Exchange is something the project team should be immensely proud of.”
Corn Exchange Crickhowell Ltd’s Managing Director, Dean Christy, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people in The Corn Exchange and to receive so many wonderful and supportive comments.
Now that the building is complete bar touching up and snagging The Corn Exchange team will press ahead with advertising the remaining shop and the two one-bedroom flats we have for rent and selling the remaining shares. We hope these will be even more attractive now people can see the building being occupied and coming back to life.”
Anyone who wants any more information about the project can contact the team on [email protected].