The last of several shops in Llangors closed in 2005 and having been thought about many times in 2019 a small team of volunteers decided that something needed to be done about it. A survey of residents covering the villages and settlements of the community around Llangors Lake confirmed that a well-stocked local convenience store would provide a welcome opportunity to significantly reduce road travel for shopping and be a community focus for all ages. The use of volunteers to run the shop would allow residents to contribute more to their community and exploit an untapped resource of community effort.
The volunteers formed a Steering Committee that drew up plans to build the shop using two donated portacabins on the vacated playground site next to the Youth and Community Centre in Llangors village. They secured planning and building permission for the proposal and successfully applied for financial support in the form of grants from the National Lottery Community Fund, The Prince’s Countryside Fund, the Brecon Beacons National Park Authorities Sustainability Fund and Brecon Rotary.
The committee also set up a Community Benefit Society to operate the shop followed by the sale of its shares. The shareholders now own the shop, elect the Management Committee and influence many aspects of how it is run.
Construction of the shop was completed on October 2021 and it welcomed its first shoppers on the 17th November. The shop employs an experience Manager and a Deputy Manager with all other roles drawn form a cadre of volunteers.
Members of the Shop Management Committee
The current members of the Shop Management Committee are the following people:
MARK KERR – CHAIR
Mark spent 37 years in the Royal Navy, holding many senior executive positions and responsible for several large budgets. He then became the chief executive of Powys County Council for 5 years and later Interim Director of the National Botanic Garden of Wales 2009-10.
ALAN WILLIAMS – TREASURER
After graduating from Imperial College, London Alan trained as an accountant and is a Fellow Member of both CIMA & ACCA. Also did an MBA with the Open University. Currently working for Powys Health Board as a Business Partner Accountant. Also treasurer of Llanfihangel Village Hall
ALINA EVANS
After graduating, Alina started in retail management working for the Burton Group PLC and Habitat PLC. She then moved into the training field working for House of Fraser, Swansea College and NPTCBC. She became self-employed in 1996 focusing on Management Development.
ROBERT EAST
Born and bred in Llangors, Robert has been a University law lecturer for over 40 years, working at a number of universities, including the University of South Wales, Cardiff University and the Open University. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of the West of England in Bristol.
CLARE OWENS
Clare was a teacher for 30 years in both secondary and primary sectors and currently tutors in literacy, numeracy and art & design. She is a community councillor and has served as a school governor three times, currently as a governor at Llangors School.
COLIN PREECE
With 42 years’ service within the Electricity Distribution Industry, Colin is now self-employed, advising on Health and Safety matters and managing environmental projects. He is actively involved in various local groups, including many years’ experience as a Community Councillor.
MELROSE EAST
Melrose is a retired midwife. She has taught in Higher Education and worked in Senior Management in the NHS. She also has considerable experience in the voluntary sector both in the UK and abroad.
ROSEMARY SNOWDEN
Moved to Llangors 7 years ago after living in France for 4 years. She is now running her own driving instructing business. Previous employment of 18 years was in the regulatory sector working for the Civil Aviation Authoriy (CAA) overseeing regulations governing commercial and private aviation.
Contact us
We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions please do not hesitate to fill in the form below. One of the Siop Llangors Shop team will get back to you as soon as possible.