We are a group of local residents desperately trying to save our local pub, the Six Bells. But if you though this was all about a pub, you'd be wrong! We want to save it because it's part of Wales' heritage; at 400 years old, it was once an alms house and is noted in history books for it's architectural significance. Now it's owned by a developer who wants to demolish the rear and profit from the build.
But more than the heritage, we want to save the environment it sits it! Located on the West side of Newport and the Gwent Levels, the building sits in a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The area has more legal protections than the Brecon Beacons due to it's significant ecological and historical importance. Sadly, you wouldn't know it from the fly tipping and neglect that the area faces.
We want to change this by locating a visitor information and education centre in the building and have the backing of our Senedd Member, the Living Levels, Gwent Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, academics and local grassroots groups organisations who all want to contribute to delivery of this exciting project.
To make the building sustainable and further support quality of life of local residents, we also want to establish a local farm and craft shop, a day time cafe and an evening pub to provide attractions and amenities for all of the community.
The area sits in the top 10% most deprived areas on the dimensions of amenities and environment on the index of multiple deprivation. We believe we can change this. We believe we can set up a sustainable business, protect and promote the value of our environment, provide important amenities and ensure that this historical building continues to serve the community for years to come.
We're working with the Plunkett Foundation, Cwmpas and the Architectural Heritage Fund but have some exciting vacancies for volunteers to get on board and make a difference to this project.
We are trying to raise funds to purchase the Six Bells from the developer and set up a sustainable business. Right now we are in a fundraising phase of this project and have set ourselves the ambitious goal of raising £700,000 between now and the end of August 2023.
To reach this goal we have three major work streams:
Fundraising:
- Applying for grants, including the Community Ownership Fund (completed, awaiting decision), the Community Facilities Programme (in progress) and potentially the lottery and other sources.
- Launching a share offer & gaining the Community Shares Standard Mark. Working closely with Cwmpas.
Marketing / Campaigning:
- Developing a programme of events to get the community to join us on this journey and care about the project as much as we do
- Running a monthly coffee morning in the local village hall, to give the community a chance to meet and keep up to date with the project, share their views and raise a few pounds.
- Develop a website and online social media presence.
Business development:
- Developing a realistic business plan which shapes a business that will provide an income to sustain the different elements of this ambitious project.
- Working with stakeholders to develop plans for the launch of a visitor information and education centre in the Six Bells.
Our steering group meet every fortnight to discuss progress and we have sub teams leading on each of the three workstreams.
