PLANS to bring back a closed pub have been put forward in what has been dubbed a ‘last stand’ to revive a village’s sense of community.

The Griffin, in Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, was the last pub in the village when it closed in February last year.

But now people have got together in a bid not just to re-open it, but to make it into more than just a pub.

They want to include a children’s play area and a camp site, and aim to tempt cyclists and walkers who visit nearby Offa’s Dyke.

Lyn Evans, who sits on the community council in the village, said: “Llanbedr is an old-aged community.

“I’ve been here 34 years now and compared to when I came here the school was thriving, The Griffin was thriving, the church was well attended in those days but all of those things seem to have disappeared.

“This is the last stand to get people involved again in the community.”

He added: “What we want is for people to be able to go there during the day have a cup of coffee, have something to eat and meet other people that they don’t know.

“There’s  another acre of land at the back where we want to set up a children’s play area. My son and daughter in law have three children and there is no where really in the area for them to go. That is one niche that The Griffin could meet.

“Part of the programme would also be that we could build a shower block where we could attract cyclists and walkers from Offa’s Dyke.

“All over the country businesses and pubs are closing so what we’re trying to provide is a facility during the day where old people can come once a week to have a meal and a get together.

“The idea is to take on board what people think, we have plans drawn up of the alterations that need to be done.

“On the first floor there are four bedrooms with en-suites which are dated but could be upgraded to a high standard so that is a potential source of income.

“We would also be looking for a tenant to run the wet sales and cafe and there is also the possibility of starting a camp site there.”

Cllr Evans and fellow community councillor Tim Baker had to go before Denbighshire council’s standards committee this week to be given a dispensation to be involved in the project while continuing to sit on the community council.

Cllr Baker said the next step would be to start work on issuing shares so people have a chance to invest in the plans.

“A member of the local community has bought the pub and is keen to rent it back.

“We want to start a share issue to pay for the refurbishment of the pub and we we reckon we will be need to raise about £200,000.

“Eventually as the building starts to make money then we may be able to pay money back to investors.”

The committee agreed to give them six months to work on the project, which has received a cash boost from Cadwn Clwyd to get on with some of the early stages work.