No plans for restaurant at club say firm
A nationwide restaurant chain have denied claims that they will be opening an eatery in a seaside town in Gwynedd.
Speculation that a Harvester restaurant will be taking over the old Conservative Club building on the Maes in Pwllheli have been refuted by the company who say they have “no plans to open a Harvester in the area”.
It emerged last week that Harvester, who are run by Mitchells & Butlers and currently have more than 220 outlets in the UK, were widely tipped to be interested in the building which was vacated 10 months ago.
The possibility of the company taking over the central building divided opinion, with some saying they were pleased that the building wasn’t being left to ruin, but others suggested it would have a negative impact on local businesses.
Jonathan Roberts, a former member of Pwllheli Town Council, says he is pleased that the building is not being taken over by the company and he hopes that a local will step in.
Mr Roberts said: “I’m pleased yet another soulless, faceless chain is not going there.
“I would welcome and support a local company to take the place over, and as I always say that local companies and businesses are better for the local economy, where they get their supplies from local suppliers, where possible.
“We should all as far as possible support our small businesses in the town, or we will lose them.”
Dylan Bullard, councillor for North Pwllheli welcomed the possibility of a Harvester, but said he would have preferred someone local to take the building over.
Cllr Bullard said: “I’d love to see the building used for locals in some capacity.
“Whether it be a community building for the elderly and also a place where young people could hang out or a locally owned restaurant or bar.
“At the moment it’s a bit of an eyesore.”
A spokeswoman for Mitchells & Butlers said: “I can confirm that we have not been looking at this site, and at this moment in time we have no plans to open a Harvester in the area.”