Over 100 people visited the Corn Exchange on Saturday to see how work to transform the building is progressing.

Prospective tenants, investors and visitors turned out for an open day held by the Crickhowell Corn Exchange Ltd (CECLtd) in the first opportunity to view the last nine months’ developments.

The group running the project said they were ‘bowled over’ by the enthusiasm of people who want to rent the new commercial units and also the number of new people who now want to invest money into the project.

Early in the day, they were handed an application for £5,000 worth of shares from an existing shareholder who toured the building and, having seen the ‘remarkable’ progress, decided to invest more.

Managing Director, Dean Christy, said, “We had a number of interested parties for the commercial units who wanted to see the size of the units before making a decision. The Open Day gave them that opportunity and many said they were impressed at how much space there was in the building and the great position it occupies on the High Street.”

The potential tenants have been asked to fill out a questionnaire and return it by July 22.

Mr Christy, added, “This does not bind them in any way, but it does give us information about them and their ideas for The Corn Exchange, so we can judge how they would blend in the High Street and the town itself. From the outset, we gave a commitment to our shareholders that all commercial tenants must satisfy certain criteria approved by them which is the reason for the questionnaire.”

The Open Day also gave existing shareholders an opportunity to come along and see how their investment is being used and potential investors a chance to see for themselves the work which is being done.

Communications Director, Tim Jones, said, “All through the Open Day, people were coming in, seeing how the shops are coming together and asking us how they could get involved. Many admitted that they hadn’t bought shares during the first round because they didn’t believe we could achieve our ambition of converting the building into three shops and three flats but, after seeing how far we’ve got, they said they had changed their mind.

“And then I was absolutely delighted when an existing shareholder handed an application for £5,000 more shares – it was a statement of his continuing confidence and support.”

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