The Corn Exchange pub became the centre of local and national attention in March 2015 when its owners, Punch Taverns Ltd, submitted a planning application to turn the building into a national chain convenience store.
A protest was held in the street next day and thousands of people signed petitions and wrote letters of objection to Brecon Beacons National Parks planning authority.
The Corn Exchange Action Group was formed and a mass meeting held in the Clarence Hall.
The town really caught the media’s attention when existing traders “boarded-up” their windows with brown paper to demonstrate the impact a supermarket would have on the town.
Punch Taverns listened and came to talk to CEAG – recognising the uniqueness of Crickhowell’s independent High Street and working with the town to find a solution.
That solution came in the form of the community buyout by what is now Corn Exchange Crickhowell Ltd.
This project is the most remarkable example of a community taking action to protect its town. But it was not the preserve of the rich – half the investments were for £1,000 or less, and three quarters were for £2,500 or less. Every pound invested bought a share and a vote in the future of The Corn Exchange.
We achieved planning permission in October 2016 and completed the purchase of The Corn Exchange on October 31st 2016 – ending once and for all any prospect of it being used as a supermarket.
