Village youth hostel to close

Lack of visitors has led to the decline of Cynwyd youth hostel

A youth hostel in Denbighshire will be sold because of a decline in the number of visitors.

The Youth Hostels Association [YHA] has decided to sell the property in Cynwyd, near Corwen, after a review.

It had an average occupancy rate under 25 per cent over the past four years.

It is the only property to be sold by the charity in Wales, and was identified after an annual performance review of all 227 youth hostels in Wales and England.

Youth hostels are our only financial assets and they must contribute to their running costs Roger Clarke, YHA chief executive

The detached house, which had 30 beds for travellers, needed around £30,000 investment to bring the hostel up to modern three-star standards.

"We are always disappointed when we have to take this decision about any of our youth hostels, but we need to ensure that we are providing accommodation in the places people want to stay," said YHA chief executive Roger Clarke.

"We also need to meet the standards that our guests are demanding without reducing our commitment to offering excellent low cost accommodation throughout England and Wales.

"Youth hostels are our only financial assets and they must contribute to their running costs."

Nearby youth hostels in Llangollen and Maeshafn near Mold will remain open for travellers wanting to explore Denbighshire.

The property will be put up for sale next year.

In March 2002 the YHA announced its intention to sell 10 hostels because of a drop in visitors during the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

The association had suffered a £5m shortfall after having to close hostels to visitors during the 2001 outbreak.