The former Plaza nightclub in the heart of Ebbw Vale has been given a fresh lease of life after reopening this month as the New Tavern, a move backed by a seven-figure confidence in the town centre’s evening economy from the Development Bank of Wales.
Local investor saves a familiar venue
Local entrepreneur Pratik Patel, who already runs the Continental Bar in Ebbw Vale, purchased the long leasehold for the weather-beaten building and has set about restoring it as a hub for live music and social nights out. The venue had been closed since a significant flood in 2024, leaving a gap in provision for nightlife in the town.
The Development Bank of Wales provided £150,000 from the Wales Flexible Investment Fund to help Pratik secure the leasehold and press ahead with refurbishment and reopening plans. The bank said the loan process was completed swiftly, allowing the business to move rapidly from purchase to trading.
“The New Tavern is about much more than reopening a venue. This building has been part of Ebbw Vale's social scene for years and I felt it was important to bring it back into use for the community,”
The quote is from Pratik Patel, who described the project as a restoration of a community asset as much as a commercial venture. He said the business had already seen encouraging support from customers and music artists since reopening.
What the reopening means for the town
Town-centre venues like the New Tavern play several roles in places such as Ebbw Vale: they provide evening footfall that supports neighbouring businesses, create employment opportunities and offer local artists performance spaces. The owner has also announced plans to open a Sports Bar in the old indoor market area upstairs, signalling further use of the building and potential for additional jobs.
- Secured leasehold for the former Plaza building following flood-related vacancy.
- £150,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales to support purchase and reopening.
- Plans to run live music, entertainment and a Sports Bar in the upper market area.
Legal advisers who assisted the transaction were named in the announcement: Martin Pursall and Deira Thomas of Berry Smith, together with Leighton McAdorey from Fonseca Solicitors. The involvement of local solicitors reflects the deal’s ties to the community and to existing local business networks.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Loan provider | Development Bank of Wales |
| Fund | Wales Flexible Investment Fund |
| Loan amount | £150,000 |
Support from the Development Bank
Navid Falatoori, Senior Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said projects such as this underline how local businesses can help revitalise town centres. In a statement he highlighted the role of entrepreneurs who identify unused properties and invest to bring them back into productive use.
“Projects like the New Tavern show the important role that local businesses can play in supporting town centres and bringing communities together.”
For residents of Ebbw Vale the reopening is likely to be welcomed as both a sign of resilience and a practical boost to evening trade. The return of live entertainment and a planned sports-focused offering upstairs aim to diversify the town’s social scene after the disruption of the 2024 flood.
How the venue performs in the months ahead will matter not only for its owner but for neighbouring businesses that rely on evening footfall. If the New Tavern can sustain regular events and attract a steady stream of customers, it will strengthen the case for further investment in the town centre and provide a template for rescuing other flood-affected properties.
For now, the reopening represents a measured vote of confidence in Ebbw Vale’s night-time economy and a reminder that local entrepreneurs, supported by targeted finance, can play a key role in keeping community life alive.
