Plans are underway to transform the former headquarters of a collapsed North Wales developer into an apart-hotel.
- The site, previously occupied by GM Jones, has remained vacant since the company entered administration in 2019.
- Pharma Group Holdings, the current owner, aims to repurpose the property in line with Welsh Government aspirations.
- Excess office space in the region prompted the shift towards tourism accommodation.
- The decision awaits approval from Conwy Council to proceed with the transformation.
In a significant move, the site of a previously collapsed North Wales developer is poised to undergo a transformation into an apart-hotel, marking a potential revitalisation of the area. This change comes as Pharma Group Holdings, the current proprietor, seeks to alter the property’s use to accommodate tourism needs, aligning with broader Welsh Government development goals.
Originally, this site served as the headquarters for GM Jones, a developer that invested £1.3 million in its construction, including a £400,000 support from the Wales Economic Fund. However, due to unforeseen financial difficulties, the company succumbed to administration in March 2019, leaving the Parc Ty Gwyn location unoccupied for a span of three years.
In 2022, Pharma Group Holdings acquired the two expansive properties on-site. With interests in healthcare, tourism, food, and wellbeing, the company has revitalised sections of the site for warehousing and office operations. Yet, a portion of the Llys Gwydir building remains underutilised, leading to considerations for leasing, which have yet to materialise amid regional office space surplus post-Covid.
In response to these challenges, Pharma Group Holdings has submitted an application to modify the use of the property to support a mixed-use apart-hotel and tourism accommodation. Their planning statement emphasises the strategic locale of Llys Gwydir, positioned in the Conwy Valley, a hub of tourism and economic activity.
Pharma Group Holdings has expressed intentions to appoint a joint venture partner renowned for their high-quality visitor experiences, should the application find favour with Conwy Council. This initiative not only seeks to maximise the utility of an existing high-calibre facility but also aims to bolster the local economy by capitalising on the tourism sector, which remains a focal point of Wales’s economic strategy.
With over two decades of experience in the tourism industry, Pharma Group Holdings boasts a portfolio that includes five-star accommodations. This track record reinforces their capacity and commitment to enhancing the visitor experience at this proposed site.
The application now awaits Conwy Council’s decision, pivotal for the site’s future development.
