THE team behind the regeneration of the former Corn Exchange Pub in Crickhowell High Street say they’ve received an “encouraging” injection of cash. It follows the recent update that the project was £96,000 short of the original target needed to convert the Grade 2-listed building into shops and flats by the end of October.
Dean Christy, managing director of Corn Exchange Crickhowell Ltd, said: “We have received nearly £7,000 of new investments in the last week – we are closing the gap between what we have now and what we need to finish the project. This is an encouraging start and we are confident that the momentum will continue to build as The Corn Exchange is fitted out and people are better able to visualize living or working there”.
The team say they have had a number of encouraging new inquiries in the last week from businesses seeking to set up shops in The Corn Exchange and these are being followed up. They have also been contacting local business groups trying to spread the word about the shop units, which are being targeted at independent traders. Mr Christy added: “We have time and we will not rush with this very important step as it is essential to find the right tenants, not only for the town, but also for the shareholders.”
Communications director Tim Jones said: ”We have come a long way since the initial campaign to stop The Corn Exchange being converted into a national chain convenience store. The people of Crickhowell got behind us and backed our vision for three shops and three flats and they have stuck with us throughout. They helped us prove that Crickhowell is not just a town of protest, but also of constructive and resolute action. We are now very close to delivering a building which will not only offer fantastic retail spaces for independent traders in a brilliant position on the High Street but also much needed flats for rent.”
The builders working on the project, Celtic Property and Lettings Ltd expect to finish replacing the roof and putting in new floors and ceilings in the next couple of weeks. After that, they can start the interior fit-out.
“This is phenominal progress,” Mr Christy said: “When the fit-out starts, the new Corn Exchange will come to life as a new business in its own right and a fantastic home to great small businesses in keeping with the traditions and the character of our unique High Street.”
The team behind The Corn Exchange project can be contacted on [email protected]