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.
The popular not-for-profit café based on Bangor High Street announced on Monday (10 March) that it would close on 31 March after failing to secure the grant funding which it relies on for the next financial year.
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.”
A public meeting will be held at the café this Thursday (13 March) at 6pm, for residents to raise any concerns they may have about Bwyd Da’s closure and possible actions moving forward.
