The couple who became pub landlords by accident

You might think you have your life mapped out in front of you, at least when it comes to your home and where you're going to live, but sometimes a property can throw you an unexpected curveball and, if you catch it, your life is turned totally on its head. For Steve and Dawn Crandon from Abertillery and Brynmawr the way ahead was clear; they wanted a renovation project to create their dream home and like so many other people realised that buying a former commercial premises meant more bricks and mortar for their budget. Steve said: "After returning from a period of working and living in Belgium we were renting a three bedroom property in Nantyglo.

With three rapidly growing boys in the family, this was becoming smaller and smaller so we were looking to purchase somewhere that could accommodate the family comfortably. Most four to five bedroom houses that we saw were above our price range, without considerably more saving for larger deposits." For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here .



READ MORE: People in hazmat suits brought in to deal with vile and dangerous problem in Our Welsh Chapel Dream property YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: I stayed in 'the strangest town in Wales' and completely fell in love "We saw a pub called for sale earlier in 2023 and it certainly piqued our interest," Steve continued. "To obtain what was essentially a five bedroom property for the price of most three bedroom houses within Brynmawr - it was an instant hit. The potential to renovate and get things how we wanted was an added bonus.

But at that point the estate agents had received an offer and the property was effectively off the market and we thought we had missed the boat." The couple thought it was a shame because one of the biggest headaches of transforming a commercial premises into a dream dwelling - change of use and planning permission - had already been achieved at The Royal Exchange and the building actually had a personal connection with Steve, having been his local pub. He remembered: "I can remember coming into the pub with my dad probably more than 40 years ago as a young teenager and being scared witless by the formidable former landlady!".

The couple were disappointed but moved on with their property search. But sometimes property serendipity will not be denied and that initial sale fell through. Steve said: "Dawn knew the vendor and we engaged in a conversation about potentially purchasing the property, essentially agreeing an offer.

We arranged a viewing and instantly fell in love with the place, we knew straight away that it was the place for us. "The overall quirkiness of the property was an instant hit, as the property was historically two much smaller houses that had been converted into a single property many years ago. There are rooms on differing levels with steps in the strangest of places and it is difficult to see where the property ends and next door begins.

It also has the most treacherous of staircases. "Despite having been closed and empty for several years there was an instant warmth in the property and a real sense of history. It is listed as the Royal Exchange on a map of Brynmawr pubs from the late 1800s and we could feel all of that history as soon as we were inside.

Despite being an old building and having a bit of a chequered history in more recent years the potential to develop and renovate was obvious." So the day the couple picked up the keys they were thrilled at the prospect of creating their dream home but this renovation story has another twist because the building had other ideas and this became clear one night when the couple had just moved in and had invited family and friends into their new home. Steve explained: " After an evening sat around our dining table which is now in the old bar area we had a real sense of what it would be like to have people socialising and enjoying themselves on a regular basis in the space.

"It was as if the building spoke to us, blatantly refusing to be turned into something different and the decision was pretty much made to attempt to re-open as a pub and maintain a real part of Brynmawr’s history. Everyone in town knows the pub which for many years has always been known as ‘the hole in the wall’ presumably because it is one of the smallest and cosiest pubs in Wales." Dawn was keen that the dream home idea be parked and the reopening of the pub should be the new direction - shoving them into a life of being 'accidental' landlords when this was never their life plan.

Stave said: "Initially I wasn’t convinced that I wanted to do the hard work that goes with running such an establishment and was still settled in my day job as a chief technology officer, but it didn’t take me long to get on board. It was really exciting to be planning what we were going to do, arranging for the pub bar and cellar to be refitted and getting stock and such like in place ready for our grand opening." For a community to lose its pub is, for many people, the loss of the heart of it - the chance to socialise and a place to gather where everybody knows your name.

So when whispers spread that The Royal Exchange might be opening as a pub again the locals were understandably confused - it had been sold as a future private house. Steve said: " The vast majority of the community have reacted incredibly positively and are grateful to see what was always a favourite pub reopen. We get so many comments about the pub being somewhere where people feel cared for, welcome and for some provide a safe haven away from the hustle and bustle of busier establishments.

" But just because the future of the pub had taken a swerve back to its public past and not towards its private future didn't mean the couple didn't have work to do, and since making the decision to reopen as a pub the list of jobs done and still to do is sizable. Steve explained: "When we first took over the property everything had been stripped out. There were no beer pumps at the bar, the cellar was a bare shell and the seating area was completely barren aside from a very old and beer stained carpet.

"We have refitted the bar now and offer eight different beers, lagers and ciders along with an extensive range of bottled drinks, spirits and our freshly made cocktails. The cellar has been fully kitted out and chillers installed to keep our beer at optimum temperature throughout the year. We have replaced the carpet, added bench and free standing seating, new tables, and redecorated throughout.

"When we moved in the electricity would trip 10-12 times per day so has now been rewired, with the addition of eco efficient LED lighting. New signs adorn the outside of the pub, complete with smart lighting and hanging baskets." But it's outside where the couple have spent a good slice of the budget but is also where they and their customers like to spend a good slice of their time, even if rain is forecast.

Steve said: " Our jewel in the crown at the moment has to be our beer garden at the rear of the property which has been our major investment this year. Completely secluded you can sit there and not know you were in the centre of town. "We have taken what was essentially a patch of waste ground and transformed it into a fully decked area, with sturdy picnic benches, a pergola with shaded seating, festoon lighting, a water feature and even a fully functioning garden bar.

It is such a transformation and has allowed us to add much more usable space to the property. We can actually seat more people outside that we can within the bar." READ MORE: The normal-looking semi-detached with incredible Disney surprise inside YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: A unique row of rundown rural cottages going to auction is a rare find Steve said they have reinvested money made back into the property to continue with the rolling schedule of renovation planned within both the public areas, such as replacing the doors and windows in an oak colour, extending this colour throughout the bar area and completely refurbishing the toilets.

The couple are hopefully that soon, finally, they can get around to upgrading their own accommodation at the property, as well as launching their plan to augment the wet sales with a food menu plus hosting regular theme-based events throughout the year. Steve and Dawn are thankful to the property for showing them the true nature of its soul, that it was a building for socialising and sharing - and they couldn't be happier. Steve said: "We seem to have bucked the trend within the licenced trade where there are numerous pubs closing on a weekly basis and the business has gone from strength to strength since reopening in November last year.

"There is always a great atmosphere and a warm welcome extended to all and we are actively engaged within the local community. We currently employ four part-time members of staff and this will likely increase as our offering grows. Our only regret is that we didn't do this sooner!" For more property and renovation stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here .

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