£8.2m Maesteg Town Hall redevelopment

Construction work is due to start this week on the £8.2m repair, restoration and extension of Maesteg Town Hall.

The Grade II listed building is being restored back to its former glory and extended on one side with a new glass atrium, studio theatre and cinema space, a café and mezzanine bar, and a modern library.

Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) is working in partnership with Awen Cultural Trust and a number of key funders on the project which is one of the biggest investments in Maesteg in decades.

The start of construction on this much-loved venue is an historic occasion for Maesteg. Much work has been done to get to this stage where an ageing building can be transformed into a beautiful venue fit for generations to come.

We are looking forward to re-opening it once work is completed next summer, and welcoming back all the community groups which use it.

It will not just serve Maesteg town as a cultural centre and focal point, but will be a strategic visitor attraction for the whole county and region.

Cabinet member for education and regeneration Charles

The redevelopment will see the historic auditorium restored, a new roof and the addition of modern facilities for performers, participants and audiences.

The work is being undertaken by specialist contractors Knox and Wells which have been involved with a range of heritage projects in South Wales such as Cardiff Bay’s Pierhead building.

The modern library will also include informal and formal meeting areas, providing new spaces for people to relax and enjoy a range of activities that tackle social isolation, improve digital literacy and find out more about the history and heritage of the Llynfi Valley.

And the venue will include more accessibility features with a lift to take people with mobility issues or children in pushchairs between floors, and a Changing Places toilet facilities for disabled visitors.

As part of the preparation work for the redevelopment, six paintings by the Welsh artist Christopher Williams have been removed temporarily for professional conservation. Meanwhile, the town hall’s furniture and equipment have been donated to community groups in the town.

Richard Hughes, chief executive of Awen Cultural Trust, said: “Since we closed Maesteg Town Hall to the public in November, we have been busy working behind-the-scenes to prepare for this significant milestone on the redevelopment journey.

“With our partner Bridgend County Borough Council and a wealth of funders and supporters, we are delighted to be returning this beautiful venue back to its former glory by protecting the hall’s period features and cultural heritage, whilst adding the modern facilities that our performers, participants and audiences need and expect, and the long-time users of the hall and the people of Maesteg deserve.

“You can follow the progress as we turn our vision into a reality on our Maesteg town hall website or Facebook page.”

The hall is scheduled to re-open in summer 2021 once the redevelopment work is complete.

The project is being funded by Bridgend County Borough Council, Welsh Government regeneration funding, the Valleys Task Force, the European Regional Development Fund, Awen Cultural Trust, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Maesteg Town Council, the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Davies Trust.