Campaign to save iconic building for community use
A campaign is underway by a community group to restore the Old Civic Hall in Conwy for the benefit of the town’s people.
The group, Pwyllgor Cymraeg Aberconwy, aim to create a centre that will strengthen the Welsh language in the town and secure the future of the building for public use with a focus on the community. The experienced volunteers have already been hosting and organising Welsh languge and bilingual events, including ‘Folk on the Quay’ and Jac Do Gigs, in the Conwy town, Deganwy and Llandudno Junction areas since 2023.
“Initial ideas include retaining the multi-purpose theatre space on the second floor, and developing an unique food and drink offering on the ground floor,” explained Morgan Dafydd on behalf of the campaign. “The theatre on the top floor is a unique space within the town which would be able to host audiences of 250+ seated and is well-suited for live music events which would strengthen the ‘night entertainment’ offer in the town.”
The campaign has already received a Project Viability grant from the Architechtural Heritage Fund to undertake project development work, initial building surveys and community engagement. A live online community consultation questionnaire is currenly live, and a public drop-in meeting is scheduled at the Comrades Club, Conwy between 3-8pm on Tuesday, 21st July.
“The drop-in meeting will be an opportunity for us to gather ideas from the local community and to share our vision,” said Morgan.
“We are also developing a robust and viable business plan to submit an ‘expression of interest’ application to Conwy County Borough Council (the current owners) by the end of July. Our hope is to secure a Community Asset Transfer to a new not-for-profit company that would seek grant funding to renovate the building and run it on a day-to-day basis.
“We’d love if you were able to come along to our drop-in session to hear more, but if this isn’t possible, please feel free to contact us for more information on 07840843814 or via pwyllgoraberconwy@gmail.com
“Hopefully we can count on your support with this bold and exciting plan to transform this unused building and bring it back to life.”
The campaign is supported by Menter Iaith Conwy, the community based Welsh language organisation that works across Conwy County to promote, support, and increase everyday use of the Welsh language at grassroots level.
