Residents in Pontardawe, Swansea, no longer have to travel far for some decent pub-grub or a pint thanks to a young entrepreneur who has reopened a well-loved watering hole.
Lauren Castleton, who is just 23, opened the doors of the Ynysmeudwy Arms in October after taking over the lease from her uncle. Until then the pub, which had always been a favourite with locals, had remained closed for more than two years.
When Miss Castleton’s uncle purchased the premises in August 2013, the initial plan was to turn the building into either a block of apartments or a nursing home. However, Miss Castleton saw her dream of owning her own business become a step closer to reality, and persuaded her uncle to let her lease the premises for the next three years.