Chapel converted to tea rooms
A derelict chapel in the shadow of the Pontcysyllte aqueduct has been given a new lease of life, transformed into a tea room.
Business partners Sally Roberts and Carl Pottenger of Trevor, near Llangollen, gave up their jobs and took on the ambitious project in 2016 to convert the former Bryn Seion Chapel in Trevor into the Pontcysyllte Chapel Tea Room, close to Thomas Telford’s famous structure.
The aqueduct gained World Heritage Status in 2009 and has seen the area boosted by increased visitor numbers since.
They were given a £30,000 grant from the Welsh Government’s Tourism Investment Support Scheme and now employ 12 staff on a full-time, part-time and casual basis.
Carl oversaw the renovations, ensuring local craftsmen were employed to carry out the work while Sally set about identifying and applying for funding, before quitting her job with a high street bank last year to concentrate on the project full time.
Phase two of the project is already underway with the transformation of the remainder of the building into five modern, airy B&B bedrooms - two on the ground floor, including one with disabled access and three on the upper floor. It is intended that two bedrooms will be
completed and available from mid-July.
Sally said: “It was certainly a daunting prospect to purchase the chapel but I’d seen it falling into disrepair on a daily basis in recent years and thought what a great tea room and B&B it would make. So when I met Carl we both decided to make it a joint venture and
took the leap to buy the property.
“We have received such a lot of support from advisors including the Welsh Government and Business in Wales, as well as the community. We are now focusing our efforts on attracting more day visitors from further afield. It’s important we link closely with other areas in the vicinity of the aqueduct to improve the visitor experience to the area as tourism is the lifeblood of many communities around here, particularly being so close to Llangollen.”
The Pontcysyllte Tea Room was officially opened by Lord Elis-Thomas, AM and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport on Monday, 18 June 2018.
He said: “I’d like to congratulate Sally and Carl for their vision in seeing the potential in this historic building and turning it into this excellent tea room. As well as being a welcome addition for visitors attracted to this iconic World Heritage Site, they’re also creating new jobs in the tourism sector in north east Wales. With the ambiance of a Welsh Chapel, the nearby Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Welsh produce on offer - the Pontcysyllte Chapel Tea Room has a strong sense of place and an excellent story to tell. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support this venture and wish the owners well as they complete the accommodation phase of the project.”
