Campaigners bid to turn empty civic hall into Welsh-language cultural hub

Dale Spridgeon, Local Democracy Reporter

A campaign group has unveiled a £5.9 million vision to transform a historic Welsh civic building into a live music venue, food hall and Welsh-language cultural centre.

Pwyllgor Cymraeg Aberconwy wants to take over the vacant Old Civic Hall in Conwy through a community asset transfer after previous plans for a private redevelopment fell through.

The group has submitted a business proposal to Conwy County Borough Council and hopes to secure a long-term future for the Grade II-listed building as a not-for-profit community venue.

The former library and theatre on High Street and Castle Street has been completely vacant since the town’s library moved to the Culture Centre in 2019.

Its 240-seat theatre, thought to be one of the largest in the county after Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwyn, closed in 2014.

Pwyllgor Cymraeg Aberconwy has partnered with Menter Iaith Conwy, which promotes the everyday use of Welsh, on proposals that would retain the theatre while creating a food and drink hall on the ground floor.

The group believes the project could cost as much as £5.9m, with renovation work and fundraising carried out in stages.

Parts of the building date from the 19th century, although it was partly rebuilt in concrete during the 1960s and 1970s following a fire in 1966.

Its fortified appearance echoes the medieval defensive walls and gateways of the castle town, which forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The council, which owns the building, has been seeking a new use for it after earlier private development plans stalled.

Nautical Point Limited was granted planning permission for a mixed-use “apart-hotel” development in summer 2024 but withdrew its plans earlier this year.

Morgan Dafydd, speaking on behalf of the Pwyllgor Cymraeg Aberconwy campaign, said: “Initial ideas include retaining the multi-purpose theatre space on the second floor and developing a unique food and drinks hall on the ground floor.

“The theatre is a unique space within the town which could host audiences of 250 plus seated. It is well-suited for live music events which would strengthen the ‘night entertainment’ offering in the town.”

Mr Dafydd said a main aim was to create a centre that would strengthen the Welsh language while securing the building for public use.

Members of the group have already been organising Welsh-language and bilingual events, including Folk on the Quay and Jac Do Gigs, in Conwy, Deganwy and Llandudno Junction since 2023.

The campaign has received a project viability grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund to support development work, initial building surveys and community engagement.

Consultation

Around 600 people responded to a recent consultation, while about 100 attended a public drop-in meeting.

Mr Dafydd said: “A high percentage of those wanted it to be for community use.

“The council had a tender out for it, which closed on July 31, so that everyone interested could make a bid. They are due to look at all the bids in the autumn.

“We have submitted our business proposal and what we are going for is a community asset transfer.

“We really hope they will let us take over the building or let us lease it long term, as a not-for-profit company, and we will seek funds to renovate the property.”

Stages

Mr Dafydd said the project could cost as much as £5.9m, but the group envisaged carrying out the work and raising the necessary money in stages.

He said: “There is a lot of work ahead but it could transform the upstairs section, the theatre space, into something on similar lines to Neuadd Ogwen, at Bethesda.

“The downstairs area could be turned into a food hall, similar to places like Y Maes at Criccieth, or those seen at the Chester and Altrincham markets.

“One of the main objectives of this project is to raise the awareness of the Welsh language through community events and activities and to restore what really is a fantastic building, right at the heart of Conwy which is in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“We are really hoping the council makes the right decision!”

A Conwy County Borough Council spokesperson confirmed the property was placed on the open market earlier this year and that submissions received by the July 31 deadline were now being considered.

They said: “The matter will now go through the usual due diligence processes before being presented to the council’s Cabinet for further consideration and determination.

“Any proposals put forward for the site would be subject to the usual planning process.”

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