Trefeglwys Community Shop (Cwm Trannon)

The Trefeglwys Community Cooperative project was created in 2008 following the closure of the shop and post office and potential closure of the village petrol station.

The community of Trefeglwys is home to around 1000 people living in the green hills and deep valleys of Powys, in the former county of Montgomeryshire, Mid-Wales.
It comprise the villages and hamlets of Trefeglwys, Llawr y Glyn and Staylittle in an area 8 miles long and 3 miles wide. The nearest towns are Llanidloes and Caersws , both approximately five miles distant. There is a population of approximately 1,000 persons in the the community and its immediate environs.

This project has enabled the retention of the shop, post office & filling station and provides potential for additional facilities which will serve the local population and tourism needs into the future.

Up until 2008 the locality had the benefit of key facilities, including a village shop, post office, petrol station, garage and a pub. The shop and post office closed in the Spring of 2008. The petrol station and garage were to close due to the retirement of the owner. Trefeglwys Community Council convened a meeting to which everyone in the community was invited in September 2008. A Steering Group was appointed to look into the possibility of establishing a community shop. It reported back to the Community Council stating that a whole community survey had shown:

• There was very strong support for a community shop.
• The existing garage within the village of Trefeglwys was the ideal location.
• If the project could be brought to fruition, the community would have the benefit of a new village shop, retaining the petrol facility, and the existing motor repair business would be relocated in the village for the benefit of the local community.
• The local publican was willing to host an interim shop until the new facility was created.

The Community Council requested the members of the Steering Group to take over the responsibility for trying to create and establish a Trefeglwys Community Shop Ltd (TCSL) which  was incorporated on 8th December 2008. TCSL conducted a further survey within the community to establish the level of commitment and support to the project. Nearly one half of the persons within the community completed the questionnaire, indicating their overwhelming support both for the project and for the on-going support of the community shop in funding and volunteers. Planning permission to modify the local garage was granted in May 2009, following which a builder, OGW, was appointed through competitive tender. The building was purchased and construction commenced in January 2010 ....

Cwm Trannon opened in November 2010. It will establish a high quality, customer led provision for the local community and any passing trade. The premises will also be used as a general store, an information centre, coffee shop/tea room, florist shop and petrol station (its current role in the community). A multi purpose space is also available for other purposes, subject to demand. The shop will endeavour to purchase and sell locally produced produce aiming to contribute to the local economy.