Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund is pleased to confirm that the sale of Afan Lodge has now been completed.
Afan Lodge ceased trading in November 2024 following a formal consultation with staff. Since purchasing the Lodge in 2019, Pen y Cymoedd had supported its operation through an exceptionally challenging period — including the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
While we were proud to keep the business open during these times, it became increasingly clear that significant capital investment would be required for the Lodge to reach its full potential. After careful consideration, it was decided that Pen y Cymoedd was not the right organisation to lead the next phase of its development.
Our priority then became ensuring a responsible sale process for the Lodge.
An open and transparent sale process was led by business advisory specialists GS Verde. Our board received and reviewed several bids, with a strong preference for securing local ownership.
This process is now complete, and the Afan Lodge is under new ownership. We are pleased that the new owners are committed to ensuring the Lodge is brought into meaningful use as soon as possible.
We remain proud of the role we played in safeguarding Afan Lodge during an unprecedented time and look forward to continuing to support the Afan valley.
Why Pen y Cymoedd Invested — and the Impact
When Pen y Cymoedd CIC acquired Afan Lodge in 2019, it was not simply a business investment — it was a strategic decision to protect a vital community asset, ensuring it could continue to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits in the region.
While Afan Lodge operated as a commercial entity, the broader aim was to stimulate local economic activity, sustain and create jobs, and maintain a high-quality hospitality venue in the Afan Valley.
Operational Period and Economic Impact
Despite purchasing the Lodge shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic — a period which severely disrupted the hospitality industry — we were able to maintain operations until November 2024.
Key Outcomes
- An estimated 33 full-time equivalent jobs were supported, including part-time and flexible contracts. A large majority of staff were based within a 10-mile radius, contributing directly to the local economy.
- Afan Lodge supported local businesses by purchasing over £700,000 of food and drink and other services each year.
- Between £1.4 and £1.5 million of direct local economic impact (
- With multiplier effects, total benefit reaches £1.75–£1.9 million, or £1–£1.1 million GVA (The multiplier effect measures the impact that a change in economic activity—like investment or spending—will have on total economic output).
- Additional indirect employment: 3.5–5.5 jobs, bringing total supported employment to between 36.5 and 38.5 people annually.
- Beyond numbers, the Lodge offered accessible, entry-level employment opportunities — vital for young people, those returning to work, or individuals without advanced qualifications.
- At the time of purchase, no viable private buyer had emerged, and the future of the Lodge was uncertain. Without intervention, closure seemed likely, with the risk of job losses, the building falling into disrepair, and the loss of community value.
Our support ensured the Lodge remained operational, preserving its role as a cornerstone of the local tourism economy and providing a springboard for future sustainable use.