Charlotte Church's rural retreat The Dreaming is to close temporarily after what it described as an "unsustainable" drop in bookings. The property near Rhayader, Mid Wales, will shut for an unclear period from December, with the establishment saying it has been left at "the mercy of the economy".
Economic pressures blamed for fall in visitors
The retreat announced the news on social media, saying the economic situation had led to a severe drop in bookings and alarming increases in the cost of running a business. It said it faced the same tribulations as other small businesses and made the tough decision to close its doors.
The statement said: "Our bookings track the deepening cost of living crisis of the last few years, and most recently the war in Iran and subsequent economic shocks corresponds directly with a severe drop in bookings. We are a casualty of the massive cut in people’s discretionary spending that has been widely reported since these events."
Gratitude for community and past achievements
The retreat said it had achieved "far more than we ever thought possible" over the years, helping people who have been grieving, at a crossroads, exhausted, or disenchanted with life since it opened. The Dreaming had offered a pay-what-you-can scheme, and NHS workers were able to enjoy the retreats for free.
The statement continued: "We have nothing but deep gratitude for everyone who has walked through The Dreaming's doors, and been a part of our wonderful human and more-than-human community. That was always what this was about – reconnecting people to nature, and reigniting their sense of belonging to the web of life."
Property bought for £1.5m and featured on TV show
The closure was described as a "hibernation" rather than a permanent end, allowing the team to reassess their options. Charlotte purchased Rhydoldog House for £1.5 million to transform it into the wellbeing centre, which can host sixteen guests across eight rooms and sprawling gardens, aiming to help visitors "reduce their chance of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes", according to the retreat.
The transformation was featured on Charlotte Church's Dream Build. In one episode, the singer took her father's advice and put her foot down with the builders, saying: "These boys need to listen to me now, it takes quite a few times of me stating what I want." She added: "People keep going off like spiders and then doing their own thing a little bit and I'm a bit like, 'well, I'm sorry gents but it's getting down to it now, and I am the boss and I am paying your wages!'"
