Closure battle over youth hostel

The roof at Llangollen YHA needs renovating

The fight is on to save a threatened youth hostel in Llangollen.

The 120-bed property is used to train youngsters on referral from councils and the youth justice boards.

Outdoor pursuit company Pro-Active said it invested £50,000 on the site last year, believing it would stay open.

But the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) announced plans to shut 32 buildings as part of an £18m investment. It said beds in Llangollen were used for only about a third of the time.

The hostel is one of five in Wales scheduled for closure by the end of 2008.

We've invested a lot of money in recent years in upkeep, but there comes a time when you have to say enough is enough Mark Farmer, YHA

"Llangollen only achieves about 33 % occupancy," said operations director Mark Farmer. "That means for about two-thirds of the time the bed space is empty.

But Pro-Active claimed that money the company has already invested in the building has made Llangollen one of the best equipped hostels in Wales.

Pro-Active partner Clive Richley said: "This month alone, we have already invested £8,200 on resources for the site, and had planned further significant investment that we believe would make the hostel in Llangollen one of the best equipped and resourced activity centres in Wales, and rival many in England."

He said the YHA lost £40,000 a year at Llangollen before his company became involved in the site, but in 2005 it made a profit of £10,000, with the targeted profit during 2006 of £73,000.

But the YHA said it has made it clear that the Llangollen has been under review for the last four years, with no assurances given to anyone.

Maintenance cost

"There have been financial improvements, but it's not all been down to our relationship with Pro-Active," said Mr Farmer.

"And it's not enough to keep up with the cost of the maintenance of the building.

"Llangollen is a very expensive hostel to run and it needs at least half-a-million pounds spending. The roof needs renovating, the central heating needs updating as do the toilets and bathrooms.

"We've invested a lot of money in recent years in upkeep, but there comes a time when you have to say enough is enough."

The closure of Llangollen could mean that Pro-Active has to focus on other sites in Wales.

The company has said that it will be able to cope with only half of the 4,500 children it catered for during 2005.