Hollywood Star's Rescued Village Pub Faces New Crisis After Empty Night
A North Wales village pub that was dramatically saved from closure by Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys has issued a heartfelt plea to its community after it failed to attract a single customer throughout an entire evening. The Glan yr Afon pub in Pennal, which had been threatened with permanent shutdown in 2022, was purchased through a £450,000 community fundraising campaign spearheaded by the star of The Americans.
A Celebrity-Led Rescue Mission
For many years, the Grade II-listed Glan yr Afon pub served as the social heart of Pennal village, even hosting a visit from then-Prince Charles in 2015. However, its future looked bleak when the owners announced plans to sell the property in 2022, raising fears among villagers that their only pub would be converted into a holiday let.
In response, the local community launched an ambitious campaign to buy the establishment themselves. Matthew Rhys, whose father was born in Pennal, learned about the effort and decided to contribute significantly. The actor fondly recalled spending 'many summers and Easters' in the village and described the Riverside pub as the location for 'a number of my halcyon days as a youth.'
Grand Reopening and Subsequent Struggle
The pub triumphantly reopened in February 2023 with Rhys personally helping to pull pints during the celebrations. The venue was subsequently named one of the thirty best pubs in the United Kingdom for a peaceful escape, marking a promising new chapter.
Despite this initial success and the enormous effort invested in saving the pub, staff now report that it is not being utilized to its full potential. Shockingly, the establishment remained completely empty for the entirety of a recent Tuesday night, prompting a public rallying cry from the management.
Community Support is Crucial
In a sincere social media post, the Glan yr Afon pub shared: 'Tonight we opened the pub (with a volunteer) and, unusually, didn't welcome a single customer through the doors. The lights were on and the fire was raging. We're sharing this as a reminder of how important community support is for a small, community-owned village pub like ours.'
The pub emphasized its broader role beyond just serving drinks. It actively helps fundraise for the local school and serves as a vital meeting place for social interaction. The plea continued: 'If you enjoy having a pub in the village, popping in really does help. Even stopping by for a Diet Coke, a cup of tea, or a quick catch up makes a difference. Supporting meals, events, and spreading the word also helps keep the pub at the heart of our community.'
The management expressed gratitude to existing supporters but underscored the urgent need for increased patronage to ensure the pub's long-term survival and continued contribution to village life.
