Angela Scott, the former landlady of The Queens Hotel in Blaenau Ffestiniog, is voicing her frustration after discovering the pub she cherished for years had been sold without her knowledge. Amidst fears of a break-in, Angela realised the person entering the property was actually the new owner, having recently purchased the premises. Angela claims she had first rights to purchase the building from brewery owners Admiral Taverns, but instead found herself suddenly homeless.
Angela, who lived at the pub with her daughter Jade and others on the housing waitlist, felt blindsided by this revelation. She said she invested £50,000 into the pub, hoping it would be a legacy for her family. The community had even banded together to raise funds after a devastating fire in July.
However, Angela claims she was pressured to sign away her lease post-fire to avoid legal complications, only to learn later that the sale had already been finalised. “We’ve been left homeless and jobless,” Angela lamented. “We wanted to transform The Queens into something special for the community.”
Admiral Taverns insists their decision followed a thorough review, concluding that reinvestment was not sustainable. They stated that selling to an experienced investor was the best option. The company also mentioned their efforts to support Angela during this challenging time and working with officials to ensure the site’s safety.
Angela’s story is a poignant reminder of the complexities in property sales and the impact on those living and working in beloved community spaces.