Opening date confirmed for historic town hall following major redevelopment
Lewis Smith, local democracy reporter
A long-awaited date has finally been set for a refurbished town hall to re-open its doors after lengthy delays and spiralling costs.
The multi-million-pound redevelopment project for the Grade II-listed Maesteg building was initially set to be completed in 2022.
However, delays in work and the discovery of dry rot in the building’s foundations meant the deadline of the project was pushed back by more than two years.
It also meant an increase to the overall cost of the project, which is now close to a total of £10 million, as well as drawing intense scrutiny from opposition councillors.
Speaking at a full council meeting held on 25 September, chief executive for Bridgend council Mark Shephard made the announcement that the building, described as the cultural heartbeat of the Llynfi Valley, will now re-open its doors on Wednesday, 20 November, 2024.
Final stages
He said: “Following its multi-million-pound redevelopment I can confirm that Maesteg Town Hall is now set to re-open its doors to the public on Wednesday 20 November.
“The final stages of renovation work at the grade II-listed building are currently being completed and the local community will soon be able to see for themselves how this historic grade II-listed Llynfi Valley venue has been transformed.”
Once open the refurbished building will include enhanced features such a new glass atrium, a library and heritage centre along with a studio theatre and cinema space, a café and mezzanine bar, and the refurbished main auditorium
The building will also feature paintings from one of Wales’ greatest artists Christopher Williams, after six of his pieces were restored ready to be put on public display.
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“the building, described as the cultural heartbeat of the Llynfi Valley,” The only people who are calling it that are those trying to justify the extravagent cost.
As a resident of Maesteg myself, and I suspect many other residents of Maesteg, would have preferred that they invested £10 in repairing the roads, playgounds and other basic infrastructure around the town which are crumbling. Investment in youth services is desperately needed, especially around Caerau, not a £10m white elephant that will only serve a very small minority of the population.