Amazing renovation of Valleys pub saved from being turned into flats

IT HAS become all too common to hear about pubs in the hearts of communities closing down before being reduced to rubble or turned into flats, or perhaps an even sadder state - left vacant to fall victim to the test of time.

- ELLIE GOSLEY

But the new owners of the Pencelli Hotel in the Rhondda Fawr have made a conscious effort to buck the trend.

The historic pub in Treorchy, which is even rumoured to have been a favoured haunt of Hollywood royalty Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, recently underwent a glamorous makeover to transform it into a new restaurant, bar and hotel.

It's somewhere which has all the special touches to wow you, but is also in-keeping with its surroundings, making it comfortable enough to act as a home-away-from-home.

It's clear every detail has been carefully considered rather than the usual numbers above each door, the rooms are named after Rhondda pits, paying tribute to the area's coal mining heritage, including collieries Dare, Ynysfeio, Tynybedw and more.

"Just because we live in the Rhondda doesn’t mean we can’t have nice places to go,” said Gary Thomas, who bought the Pencelli along with two friends, Simon and Matthew.