New station and revived hotel will benefit Corwen, says councillor

 

* The impressive canopy of the new Corwen station.

The extension of Llangollen Railway to Corwen’s newly-opened station will help drive the town's economy especially when coupled to the planned revival of a major hotel there.

The £1.25m station, at the end of the main car park, had a fanfare opening by Network Rail chairman Lord Peter Hendy last Friday afternoon.

And in his speech he said: "Two hundred years ago the railways changed the face of Britain and now this station will do the same for Corwen."

Llanblogger asked Corwen Town Council exactly what benefits the station, built largely by volunteers, they believed it would bring.

And Cllr David Counsell said: “I’m a member of the town council but I'm also heading the town’s bid to purchase the Owain Glyndwr Hotel.

“So my personal opinion of the impact of the railway is that on its own the impact will be limited unless the town fully embraces it.

“Key to this is purchasing the Owain Glyndwr Hotel. We are already drawing up business plans to reflect the railway timetable and if other businesses do the same then there will plenty for visitors to do when they come.

“The purchase of the hotel is key to this and other opportunities for the town. The share offer is open and we hope be in a position to buy the pub soon.”

The Owain Glyndwr (OG) has been for sale for a number of years and is said to be an ideal prospect for community purchase.

 

The bid group’s website says: “In the past it has been a focal point for many social activities in Corwen and deserves to be so again.

 

“The Save the OG group came together in September 2021 and with purchase in mind undertook a postal and internet survey that received over 300 responses.

 

“The survey indicated massive support for the idea of buying the OG with over £150,000 of financial support indicated from the respondents. The other key message was the need for pub/restaurant food to be once more available in Corwen.” 

* More details of the purchase bid can be found at: www.owainglyndwr.cymru