The former headquarters of a defunct North Wales developer may see new life as an apart-hotel under fresh ownership.
- Built in 2018 by GM Jones, the Llanrwst HQ was once a thriving business center, backed by significant investment.
- Pharma Group Holdings, the new owner, intends to repurpose unused spaces into hospitality accommodations.
- The proposal aligns with Welsh Government’s goals, aiming to enhance tourism and economic opportunities.
- Local planning authorities are set to review the application, with a decision pending.
The former headquarters of a now-collapsed developer in North Wales might be reborn as an apart-hotel, according to new plans put forth by the current site owners. Constructed in 2018 by GM Jones with a £1.3 million budget and supported by a £400,000 contribution from the Wales Economic Fund, the facility faced closure due to the company’s financial bankruptcy in March 2019.
Following the departure of GM Jones, the property, known as Llys Gwydir, remained vacant for three years. In 2022, Conwy-based Pharma Group Holdings acquired the site, introducing a new chapter for the facility. Pharma Group Holdings, established in 2005, operates within the healthcare, tourism, food, and wellbeing sectors, possessing additional facilities across Anglesey, Conwy, and Pensarn.
Despite the operational repurposing of certain parts of the Llanrwst site by Pharma Group Holdings for warehousing and office use, the lower level of the Llys Gwydir building was left vacant. Marketed for lease by Dafydd Hardy, this space saw no interest amidst a surplus of office spaces in the region post-COVID. As a result, Pharma Group applied for a change of use to transform it into an apart-hotel, emphasizing its strategic location within the Conwy Valley—an area recognized for tourism and economic potential.
Pharma Group’s planning statement highlights the project’s alignment with Welsh Government aspirations, which target tourism and economic amplification in the region. The proposal also details an intent to engage with a joint venture partner specializing in high-quality visitor experiences, underlining the group’s commitment to contributing positively to the local economy. The property owner holds extensive experience in the tourism industry and maintains a portfolio that includes five-star accommodations.
The transformation plan, now under review by Conwy Council planners, reflects a broader trend of adaptive reuse of commercial properties, especially in a post-pandemic world where hospitality and tourism sectors seek revitalization.
The adaptive reuse of the Llanrwst headquarters awaits a critical decision from local planners, marking a potential shift in the site’s contribution to regional tourism.
