To the Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and senior
organisational and political leaders.
We, the undersigned, condemn the decisions that have led to the closure of Bwyd
Da Bangor and demand an immediate response.
Since the closure announcement, public outcry has been immense. While some
attribute this to a struggling High Street, the reality is clear: Bwyd Da Bangor’s
collapse stems from the Health Board’s failure to uphold its financial commitments.
A Vision Undermined
Bwyd Da Bangor was never a conventional commercial enterprise. It was founded
with the Health Board’s backing as a multi-functional social venture - promoting local
food producers, supporting a food club, employing and training those in recovery,
maintaining a food bank, and serving as a community hub. Its mission was to drive
health, social well-being, and urban renewal from a prime High Street location.
Crucially, it was never meant to rely solely on commercial viability. A portion of its
costs was always intended to be underwritten by the Health Board. That commitment
was abandoned, forcing Bwyd Da Bangor into an impossible financial struggle,
almost from inception.
Despite this, Bwyd Da has established a caring organisation that has
delivered:
● 39% of paid employees in sustained recovery (substance misuse,
rehabilitation, ex-offenders).
● 18 employees that are paid at least the Real Living Wage.
● 3,225 training days provided for skill development.
● 1,344 work experience weeks to help individuals transition into employment.
● 24,192 volunteer hours supporting vulnerable families.
● 75,400kg of food saved from landfill and redistributed to those in need.
● 71,630 meals provided to families facing food poverty.
● 190 households weekly accessing affordable surplus food.
● 936 hours of substance misuse support, hosting Alcoholics Anonymous,
Cocaine Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
● 112 hours of Dementia Support, providing a vital, consistent service since
2022.
These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent real lives changed.
A Model for Wales, Ignored
Bwyd Da Bangor embodies the goals of Wales’ Social Services and Well-being Act
and the Future Generations Act. It is a proven model of co-production, partnership,
and community-driven solutions - exactly what policymakers claim to champion. Yet,
when political convenience shifts, community initiatives like this are abandoned.
A Failure in Leadership
It is indefensible that while vast sums are allocated and being spent on a currently
empty building nearby, to establish new medical and educational facilities. A thriving,
community-driven project is left to collapse. Instead of integrating Bwyd Da Bangor
into this emerging health and well-being hub, you are letting it slip away.
The people of Bangor and Wales deserve better. Every taxpayer in Wales will
shoulder the burden of approximately £2.4m a year, if Bwyd da Bangor fails due to
political and local inaction and political indifference.
Our Questions Are Simple:
1. Why would you abandon something you envisioned?
2. Why discard a project already delivering on so many of your strategic goals?
3. Why prioritize subsidising a non-community business over a proven, impactful
initiative?
This is a failure of leadership and accountability.
We await your immediate response.