Bangor’s much-loved social enterprise, Bwyd Da Bangor, is set to close its doors on 31 March, 2025, triggering widespread disappointment and concern within the local community.

The closure has sparked a strong reaction, leading to an open letter signed by over 700 people both online and in person, addressed to the Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and Senior Political and Organisational Leaders.

A Social Enterprise with a Vision

Bwyd Da Bangor asserts that the initiative was never intended to depend solely on commercial viability, as a portion of its costs were always meant to be supported by the Health Board. According to Bwyd Da Bangor, this commitment was later withdrawn, which they argue put them in an untenable financial situation almost from the start.

The Open Letter emphasises that “Bwyd Da Bangor was never a conventional commercial enterprise. It was established with the backing of the Health Board as a multi-functional social venture, promoting local food producers, supporting a food club, employing and training individuals in recovery, maintaining a food bank, and serving as a community hub. Its mission was to drive health, social well-being, and urban renewal from a prominent High Street location.”

A Legacy of Impact

Despite the financial challenges, Bwyd Da Bangor has delivered significant community benefits since it opened in 2021, including:

  • 39% of employees in sustained recovery from substance misuse, rehabilitation, or the criminal justice system.
  • 18 employees earning at least the Real Living Wage.
  • 3,225 training days provided for skill development.
  • 1,344 weeks of work experience to help individuals transition into employment.
  • 24,192 volunteer hours dedicated to supporting vulnerable families.
  • 75,400 kg of food saved from landfill and redistributed to those in need.
  • 71,630 meals provided to families facing food poverty.
  • 190 households accessing affordable surplus food weekly.
  • 936 hours of substance misuse support, hosting Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
  • 112 hours of Dementia Support, providing a consistent service since 2022.

Failure of Leadership?

The open letter strongly criticises BCUHB and political leaders for allowing a proven, community-driven initiative to collapse while large sums are allocated to new medical and educational facilities nearby. The letter questions why Bwyd Da Bangor is not being integrated into these plans, particularly given its alignment with Wales’ Social Services and Well-being Act and the Future Generations Act.

“This is a failure of leadership and accountability,” the letter states. “Instead of integrating Bwyd Da Bangor into this emerging health and wellbeing hub, you are letting it slip away.”

The letter further argues that the closure of Bwyd Da Bangor will have long-term financial repercussions, estimating that taxpayers will bear an annual burden of approximately £2.4 million due to the loss of services provided by the initiative.

Local residents, volunteers, and employees have expressed deep disappointment and frustration over the closure. Many see Bwyd Da Bangor as a lifeline, not just for those directly employed but for families, individuals in recovery, and others who rely on its services.

BCUHB Response

Dyfed Edwards, Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “I was very sorry to learn that Bwyd Da Bangor will be closing later this month and I acknowledge the impact this will have on its staff and all those who benefit from the support it currently provides.

“The Health Board supported the initial establishment of Bwyd Da Bangor and has provided more than £160,000 in funding between 2021 and 2024. Although we fully acknowledge the outcomes it has achieved and the lives it has changed, we have been clear that it is neither practical nor sustainable for a large public body to provide significant long-term funding to underwrite the costs of a social enterprise which does not have a sustainable operating model.

“We have repeatedly raised these concerns with Bwyd Da Bangor and made clear that future Health Board funding of an agreed £25,000 per year would be dependent on this being addressed, while also stressing that it was becoming increasingly difficult for NHS organisations to provide funding over and above contracted allocations, given the challenging financial climate.

“Despite offering both funding and expertise to support the development of a sustainable operating model, we have not been presented with satisfactory evidence of this being addressed. As a consequence, the Health Board was not in a position to offer further funding support during 2024/25, or for the upcoming financial year.

“It is disappointing that Bwyd Da Bangor has chosen to attribute their imminent closure to the Health Board, especially given that there has been no meaningful engagement between both parties since October 2024. However, we remain happy to engage with them at any time.

“In their open letter, Bwyd Da Bangor allude to the investment in a Health and Wellbeing Centre within the former Debenhams store on Bangor High Street, suggesting that the Health Board is prioritising this development over the Bwyd Da Bangor project. However, it is important to stress that this is not a simple arbitrary financial decision.

“The proposed Health and Wellbeing Centre is a capital finance investment, being funded through the Welsh Government’s Health and Social Care Integration and Rebalancing Capital Fund (IRCF) and supported by the Regional Partnership Board’s 10-year strategic capital programme. Any ability to invest in Bwyd Da Bangor (or similar schemes) would be subject to NHS revenue finances being available, which are under increasing pressure, and are subject to very different governance, rules and constraints.”

Last-Minute Rescue Effort

Despite the looming closure date, efforts are ongoing to save Bwyd Da. A public meeting has been held, and discussions continue with political figures, including Siân Gwenllian MS for Arfon and Claire Hughes MP for Bangor Aberconwy. Previous discussions have also involved former Deputy First Minister Jane Hutt.

Siân Gwenllian, Member of the Senedd for Arfon, has said that she is deeply disappointed about the closure of Bwyd Da Bangor and that she had written to the Welsh Government last December urging them to help secure its future.

Earlier this month Siân Gwenllian MS said: “I’m deeply disappointed to hear that Bwyd Da Bangor will be closing its doors at the end of the month.

“When I met with James Deakin from BDB in December to discuss the project’s financial challenges, I urged the Welsh Government to explore every possible option to secure its future. I stressed the café’s vital role in revitalising the High Street, as well as the invaluable work it does to address local mental health issues and reduce food waste.

“I appreciate that Cyngor Gwynedd has previously stepped in to support Bwyd Da Bangor when funding from another source failed to materialize, and I thank them for their efforts.

“I sent a letter to Jayne Bryant MS in December 2024 to highlight the urgent financial crisis facing Bwyd Da Bangor. I warned that its closure would harm both local preventative healthcare efforts and the regeneration of Bangor’s city centre. Emphasising that the café aligns with the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns initiative, I urged the Cabinet Secretary to explore funding options to prevent its closure. I also requested guidance on any emergency funding sources and called for swift action.

“It’s incredibly sad that a solution could not be found. The closure of Bwyd Da Bangor is a significant loss for Bangor and the wider community.”

In a statement earlier this month, Claire Hughes MP said: “The news that Bwyd Da is set to close feels like the final straw for Bangor High Street.

“I have written to Gwynedd County Council and Bangor City Council to request an urgent meeting to discuss the future of the High Street and, in particular, the activities of the Bangor Strategic Partnership formed to lead on the city’s regeneration efforts.

“Developments such as the proposed Health and Wellbeing Centre are welcome, but businesses and residents cannot afford to wait. We need active management and direction for Bangor High Street, not managed decline.

“My thoughts are with everyone impacted by the Bwyd Da announcement, not least the staff, I will continue to do everything I can to help.”

The initiative can now only hope that a viable rescue package can be secured before the end of March, ensuring that Bwyd Da continues to serve the community of Bangor.