FOLLOWING Eleri and Meirion Pugh’s wish to retire and sell the Llanuwchllyn pub, The Eagles, the community has come together to establish a new venture.

The venture intends to purchase The Eagles and continue its business as a pub, restaurant, and community shop.

This is in the hope of ensuring its survival as an important social and economic hub and of supporting the vitality of the community in future.

The working committee has agreed a purchase price with the family and is now preparing to publish a share offer, open to all.

The aim is to raise sufficient funds to purchase The Eagles and to ensure the successful future of this going concern.

The venture has formed as a community benefit society, meaning that any profits will be reinvested in the community.

This also enables applications for public and grant funding.

The society has set a financial target of £500,000 to purchase and run The Eagles.

Grisial Llewelyn, chair of the committee, said: “The Eagles is more than a pub; it is the heart of our community.

“The bar, restaurant and shop bring the whole community together daily, and support a multitude of societies and clubs.

“The Eagles’ excellent reputation attracts people from all over Wales and further afield to enjoy the warm welcome, good food and drink.

“Losing The Eagles would have a huge impact on the village and the area more widely.

“As a committee, we are determined to make the venture a success. We are ambitious and are looking at developing further opportunities to benefit the community.

“I want to thank Eleri and Meirion for their over 20 years of tireless service and commitment to this community.

“I’d also like to thank the community here for the support in establishing the venture, and to those who have helped such as the Plunkett Foundation, Cwmpas and numerous community enterprises across Wales.

“As we now prepare to publish a share offer, the message to everyone is clear – get ready to invest in the Eagles, get ready to invest in your community!

“In the meantime, we are eager to hear from anyone who may be interested in running this thriving business on behalf of the community."

Mabon ap Gwynfor, MS for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, said: “It's wonderful to see the buzz and activity that is so characteristic of Llanuwchllyn society.

“This is what will make The Eagles venture a huge success. This community venture is essential.

“The warm welcome from Eleri and Meirion is an integral part of the community’s heart and a cornerstone for the language.

“It will not only protect the Eagles but will also provide exciting opportunities for the prosperity and future of the area and community.

“I’m calling for public bodies and the public to provide financial and practical support for this special project.”

Eleri Pugh said: “We’ll have extremely fond memories from our time at the Eagles and of this warm community.

“It has been a pleasure and whilst I’m sure we’ll miss our time running the Eagles, we are looking forward to sitting at the other side of the bar for a change, and are delighted that the community will now take ownership to ensure this special place continues to thrive.”