The latest in a series of meetings about a community plan to buy a closed pub and turn it into a village hub will be held later this month.

The Garndolbenmaen Community Group is still hoping to buy the Cross Foxes Inn, which shut in 2017, despite an application by its owners to turn the tavern into a dwelling being approved by Gwynedd Council in May last year.

The group has yet to reach its fundraising goal, but is in discussion with the building’s owners.

Plans for the pub, which remains on the market, were twice deferred to give the group enough time to try and buy the pub outright.

A letter from members of the Garndolbenmaen Community Society have been circulated in the area urging residents to support the bid.

“We have just applied to the Welsh Assembly for a grant to purchase the building, but we need to raise a minimum of £40,000 in shares for start-up costs,” the group said.

“We need to raise a further £22,000 to reach our target of £40,000.

“We have £8,000 banked and are applying for a £10,000 Cist Gwynedd grant for the refurbishment of the kitchen.”

Plans for the building include building bunk houses and serving traditional ales and “good old Welsh rustic food”.

The scheme has received the backing of MP Liz Saville Roberts and AM Rhun Ap Iorwerth.

“Once we are open we will create facilities for the village,” the group said.

“It will see a pub, shop, café, free wifi, BT and Sky Sports, darts and pool teams, meals on wheels, a work experience centre for the catering department of Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, and “much-needed work for locals and longer opening hours”.

There will also be a purpose-built room for youngsters and young farmers of the area if the plans come to fruition.

“This will ensure the village is vibrant and attractive to live in and will secure the primary school’s future,” the group said.

The hub, if completed, will be in memory of the late Owen Morris, and will be biker friendly.

Owen was a much loved motorbike racing driver who sadly died young racing in Ireland in 1966.

Latest fundraising events include an evening of entertainment with Rev Wynne Roberts on Easter.

Saturday in the village hall and a quiz to be held in Porthmadog.

The next open meeting will be held at the school on Thursday, 14 March at 7pm.