This very sad post was posted on the Bwyd Da Bangor Facebook page today. Check out my other recent blog posts, starting here, if you want to learn more about this Story. Bwyd Da Bangor was the most amazing place, made possible by North Wales Recovery Communities and its Founder James Deakin.
‘Today sees Bwyd Da Bangor closing its doors for the final time under the Stewardship of North Wales Recovery Communities.
Whilst we have fought long and hard to avoid this happening, the reality is that this day has always been coming for us and quite simply put, it’s been a miracle that we have been able to carry on for as long as we have given the huge budget deficit that we have faced almost since day one of opening.
We have seen and noted with disappointment the public response from BCUHB [Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board] to the open letter published in the Bangor Aye. We do intend to respond strongly later in the week, where we will be producing documentation to support our stance that this whole mess was one of BUHB’s making and that the impractical and unsustainable model referenced within their response was one that was wholly devised by them even if they now continue to deny it publicly.
However today is not the day to be pointing fingers and apportioning blame.
We would instead like to focus upon the hard work and positive changes that Bwyd Da has brought to the lives of staff, customers and some of the most disadvantaged groups within our community.
Whilst it’s impossible to always get it right, we have always attempted to be caring, kind and ethical employers, who have always done our best to support our staff. Our food club has grown steadily over the past 3 years supporting families
experiencing food poverty, whilst reducing stigma.
We have shown that long term recovery from addiction is both possible and readily accessible for those seeking it and have provided training and employment opportunities for people with long term complex barriers to employment.
And most importantly we have provided a warm, welcoming atmosphere that showcased that best in fresh, local organic produce, which in our opinion made Bwyd Da the best place to eat on Bangor High street.
Sadly this must now come to an end and while talks are ongoing to establish some kind of “rescue package” any continuation of Bwyd Da will not be with NWRC.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has attempted to support us over the last few difficult weeks, our amazingly customer base who have supported us consistently over the past 3 years and to the remainder of our steering group partners, especially Gwynedd Council who know the truth behind the creation Bwyd Da and who did everything in their power to try and hold BCUHB to account for their failings in the project.
Diolch yn fawr i pawb.’