The Pencelli Hotel in Treorchy is thriving following its recent grand reopening! With the new owner having received important help from officers to secure funding and provide support for the building’s refurbishment, the Council is reminding businesses that support and grant opportunities are available to access.
The former public house at Pencai Terrace had been permanently closed in 2022 after a series of intermittent closures during height of the pandemic. The building itself was in a poor condition, and a large amount of work was needed to bring it into a position to operate as a thriving business once again.
Current owner SGM Property and Hospitality Ltd had a vision to reopen the building as a restaurant, bar and hotel – and received full planning permission for these development uses in June 2024. The owner approached the Council to explore any funding opportunities to assist with the project, and officers informed them of grant funding available from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Officers extended this support right through the application process, and the Council could confirm the successful grant funding award in autumn 2024.
With the Pencelli Hotel project needing to be completed by spring 2025 within the terms of the grant award, the building owner went to work over the winter months. The completed project has refurbished the entire property, completely reconfiguring and modernising the ground floor, while installing a new kitchen.
The upper floors were converted into 11 hotel guest rooms – with each room named after local coal mines in tribute to Rhondda’s rich history and mining heritage. Various external repairs and amendments have also been made to the building’s exterior. The building was then ready to start a new chapter in its own history – with the restaurant, bar and hotel opening from May 23.
Councillor Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity, said: “What a fantastic transformation the Pencelli Hotel has undertaken in recent months! The public house has been an institution in the heart of Treorchy, and I’m delighted this redevelopment has not only reopened the building to the public as a restaurant, bar and hotel that positively contributes to the local community, but has also spared such a prominent building from remaining unused and falling into further disrepair.
“In general, we need more accommodations for visitors within our town and valleys communities, so the hotel element of the development is very much welcomed. We expect this to be in very high demand and will contribute to attracting more visitors to Treorchy – particularly as it’s located just a short walk from the town centre, the train station, and the Park and Dare Theatre.
“I’m also very pleased at the Council’s role in enabling this development, with Regeneration officers having worked closely with the Pencelli Hotel owner to establish the available grant funding, and support them to deliver a successful redevelopment. We’re committed to bringing new businesses and amenities to our retail areas in this way, and in turn helping to improve the economy. I’d urge interested businesses to get in touch to discover the support that is available.”
Gary Thomas, Director at SGM Property and Hospitality Ltd, added: “We’ve been delighted to work with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Regeneration team in bringing forward our plans for the refurbishment of the Pencelli Hotel. We’ve found them a pleasure to deal with in terms of their engagement and guidance they’ve been able to offer of potential routes to assist with the scheme.
“With every old building, once you start works you generally unearth further issues and this building was no different. Thankfully with the assistance we received through UK Government Shared Prosperity Funding via the Council, this meant that even with an increased cost we were able to deliver the scheme on time and to the standard we wanted. The end result has provided a modern community facility for the surrounding population, and also secured the ongoing future of one of the areas more prominent and historic building.”
