One of Wales’ most renowned destinations, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually, faces the prospect of losing its final hotel. The historic World Heritage site of Blaenavon typically welcomes approximately 100,000 people each year, drawn by its extraordinary legacy as one of the nation’s most significant industrial hubs.

Residents and business owners have expressed frustration that the town hadn’t capitalised on its potential since gaining UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 2000 – a prestigious designation that places this humble yet dignified community alongside iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids. Each year, the primary Big Pit attraction – a functioning colliery for over a century that now serves as a testament to the town’s industrial heritage – remains crucial for drawing tourists.

However, Susan Fiander-Woodhouse, who crafts her prize-winning cheese at the Blaenavon Cheddar Company on the high street, told WalesOnline: “It’s all on the outside of the town though.

“It’s a shame because we are a registered attraction. We get visitors from all over the world and it’s embarrassing sometimes because they say: ‘Is this what it’s like to be a world heritage town?'”

Following industrial decline, Blaenavon experienced significant population loss, with numbers remaining steady at around 6,000 since the 1990s. Apart from the Daniel Doncaster facility, no substantial employers operate locally, forcing most working residents to travel elsewhere for employment and frequently abandon the town during weekends.

Cllr Nathan Matthews had previously noted that whilst Blaenavon no longer boasts a traditional greengrocer or butcher, the town could depend on the Lion Hotel – its final remaining hotel which attracted thousands of visitors annually. However, the future of the Lion, situated on the corner of Broad Street, is now uncertain.

The matter was discussed at a council meeting this week, where councillors expressed concerns about the hotel’s prospects following its listing for sale. The establishment shut its doors on January 3 after the proprietors retired, and has since been placed on the market with a guide price of £350,000.

Auctioneers describe the property as “an outstanding platform to operate as a pub, restaurant and hotel” in a “busy tourist destination”, yet the councillor overseeing tourism on the Torfaen Borough Council cabinet confirmed she lacks the authority to safeguard the privately owned building’s hotel designation when it goes under the hammer on March 18.

During last week’s meeting, Blaenavon independent councillor Nick Horler pressed the council’s cabinet member for economy “for assurance no change of use would be looked at when the Lion Hotel is potentially sold at auction on March 18”. Cllr Horler stated: “I and other members representing Blaenavon, really believe it is very much needed for the community and visitors to our World Heritage site.”

Cllr Joanne Gauden responded: “It is not in my gift to agree to that, it is a planning application to change the (use) class but yes I agree this is the only hotel in Blaenavon and serves the tourism industry. We have people staying who are visiting, going cycling, up on the Brecon Beacons. Absolutely I do agree we need to keep that as a hotel.”

Blaenavon received World Heritage Site designation from United Nations historic and cultural organisation UNESCO in 2000 owing to its global significance in iron production and coal extraction during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The town also sits adjacent to the Bannau Brycheniog National Park.

Susan, who matured her cheese in the Lion Hotel’s cellar following health and safety issues that stopped her from continuing to age the cheese in the former mine, explained: “When we got world heritage status in 2000 there was a lot of excitement, but it didn’t bring the prosperity people thought it would. We thought it would bring lots of people into the town but it never really has.”

Cllr Matthews had previously commented about the Lion Hotel: “You can’t get away from the socioeconomic challenges. We don’t have the foundations of a butcher or a greengrocer anymore which is a huge shame. But there are businesses that do well here such as the Lion Hotel. You go in there and it’s incredible to see people from all over the world there.”

At last week’s council meeting, Labour’s Cllr Gauden described the Lion’s closure as “a blow to the community and to me and of course the staff employed there”. She revealed the council’s economic development team has held discussions with the current owners, who are weighing up “further options for the building and the business”, and pledged ongoing council support.

However, she rejected Cllr Horler’s request to appoint a dedicated tourism manager once more, citing “limited resources” which require the economic development team to maintain “flexibility”, though she noted grant funding could create opportunities for a “dedicated resource”.

The economic strategy currently being formulated by the council also encompasses a destination management plan designed to enhance tourism throughout Torfaen.

Cllr Horler also pointed out that a “large amount” of public money had been invested in refurbishing the Market Tavern in Blaenavon, yet said “the retail area has now stood empty for months”.

Cllr Gauden stated the council is collaborating with the landlord to secure alternative tenants for the Broad Street premises and said: “I can confirm there are other business who have expressed an interest in occupying the building.”