The community of Newport in Pembrokeshire is once again buying up important assets for community use. This time it’s the old Bethlehem Chapel, but time is of the essence as the public auction date is just around the corner.

The vision is to create a thriving, innovative and inclusive heritage centre, with the local Welsh language, history, maritime, and culture at its heart. The volunteers are now looking for supporters to lend bridging funds to ensure the community hold on to the important and much-loved chapel and vestry building in the town centre.

Following a well-attended meeting in the Newport Memorial Hall, the community project group has been working hard to gather support for the chapel acquisition. 

The historic Bethlehem Chapel is to go to auction on August 30, and there is a need to raise £150,000 by then. The community group already has some funds from generous private lenders who have agreed to give a short-term loan until a community share offer can be launched,  but there’s a need now to identify additional lenders.

Coordinator at local community development charity PLANED, Cris Tomos noted: “There are great examples of community-minded private lenders in Wales and from all over the UK who have ensured important community buildings are kept in the hands of local custodians.”

“The Newport Bethlehem project has a very short window of opportunity to buy the building but individuals or families wishing to become involved or to know more should contact the project team on [email protected] or by ’phoning 07804 487642.”

With the Newport Bethlehem project, the private community lenders will receive competitive interest on their loans and also larger lenders will have a legal charge on the building. There is also the option to apply for the EIS Tax Relief scheme from HMRC to allow UK taxpayers to receive 30% tax relief on the amount they lend or invest.

Could you be one of these community lenders, or do you know anyone who could offer the Bethlehem community group a lifeline to retain the building for community use? Visit www.canolfanbethlehem.cymru.