New lease of life for Wales’ ‘oldest pub’
THE Manchester office of Colliers has leased what is said to be the oldest pub in Wales.
The premises have been taken on by Scott Roberts who is planning a 90-seat restaurant and pub at the two-storey building.
Ty Mawr, a Grade II*-listed building in Gwyddelwern, near Corwen, dates back to 1081 and was originally a priest house where pilgrims and other travellers were offered refuge and lodging.
Over the centuries it was extended and its main structure dates from between 1386 and 1572. After being modernised in 1870, Ty Mawr resembled a large Victorian inn with pebbledash and mortar concealing its original and historic features.
Current owner Gavin Morgan acquired the property in 1999 when it was known as the Rose & Crown and carried out a renovation to return it to its former glory.
During this process he discovered a ‘jetton’ or gaming token dating from 1521 tucked into a crack in the beam above the main fireplace. It was identical to six found on Henry VIII’s flagship Mary Rose when she was raised from the seabed off Portsmouth.
In 2012 Mr Roberts was hired to open a new restaurant in Puerto Banus, Marbella and returned to the UK in December.
He said: “I returned to the UK in search of a new challenge and my vision of creating a modern gastro pub in a property dating back to the 11th century and literally steeped in history is certainly that. When I became aware of Ty Mawr through Colliers International it was too good a chance to turn down.”
Colliers director Colin Siebert said: “Scott is an experienced and successful operator in the restaurant sector and his ambitious plans will mark yet another chapter in the incredible life of this 1,000 year old building.”
