12/09/2026
A little explanation as to why we’re closed this week 💚
As usual, rumours travel fast, so I wanted to explain the situation properly rather than let people hear bits and pieces and make a story up!
We have been dealing with ongoing issues with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) since March. I have had to pay for an extensive assessment of our package treatment plant (PTP) to establish whether our tank is large enough to accommodate the maximum capacity of the pub.
Unfortunately, we have now been told that it isn’t suitably sized and the system is currently only suitable for waste for around 48 people in total (roughly the equivalent of a large house), which obviously isn't enough for a busy pub like the brynffynon.
This leaves me with a few options:
🔹 Open only 2–3 days a week and have the tank emptied immediately afterwards by a licensed waste carrier. So would be used as a cesspit on a temporary measure.This would be extremely costly, potentially needing to be done every week — and possibly twice a week when we are very busy. Up to £1000 depending how many times.
🔹 Apply for a water discharge permit with NRW, which could cost around £4,000–£5,000, with a waiting time of at least 4 months. There is also no guarantee that the application would be approved,as there may be numerical limits of ammonia and given the small size of the receiving water course the numerical limits could be low.
If that route is approved, I would then need a completely new package treatment plant (PTP) which has been estimated at around £150,000. I am looking into cheaper alternatives, but there would also be significant planning and application costs involved on top.
We have spent this week having meetings with various companies and people involved in licensing and sewage treatment, trying to find out if there is another way forward.
The simple truth is that I cannot raise the sort of money being talked about, so I am now looking into every possible option — including insurance, funding and potentially even setting up a GoFundMe to see if there is any way our customers and community could help us keep the pub going.
I honestly cannot put into words how stressful this has been.
This summer has already been incredibly difficult, with the wildfires, road closures, the spring drying up and causing water problems, and now this on top of everything else.
We have always tried our very best to keep the pub open and keep going, and I am determined to explore every possible option before giving up.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us, especially those who have stuck by us through what has been an incredibly difficult few months. 💚
I will keep everyone updated as soon as I know more.
Thank you for your understanding and support
Natalie x
