Behind the scenes at Maesteg Town Hall

Members of Bridgend County Borough Council travelled to Maesteg recently to have a peek behind the scaffolding at Maesteg Town Hall and see how work is progressing on its multi-million pound transformation.

Leader Huw David and Councillor Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, joined Janine Nightingale, the council’s director of Communities, at the Grade II listed building for a look at how it is being restored and enhanced with a new glass atrium, studio theatre, cinema space, café, mezzanine bar, heritage centre and modern library.

With a new natural slate roof installed across the main building, the porch and main entrance steps have been removed to make way for a new stairway and lift which will ensure that the hall is accessible for all.

Inside the main auditorium, 1970s laminate cladding has been stripped off to reveal the building’s original timber wall boards, which are now being repaired, sanded and reinstated to their former glory.

The work has also revealed two ornate cast-iron columns which are being redecorated, while the lowering of the stage to its historic level has uncovered the original timber floorboards, skirting boards and radiators.

In the former market space, workers have uncovered glazed tiles, a previously unknown window, terracotta brick quoins and the original stonework, while up in the clock tower, repairs and redecoration are underway.

Bridgend County Borough Council is working in partnership with Awen Cultural Trust and a number of key funders on the £7.9m project, which is set to secure the future of the historic old building and realise its full potential as a community hub.

Councillor Charles Smith said: “The refurbishment and upgrading of Maesteg Town Hall is on track to become the biggest, most worth-while investment that Maesteg has seen in quite some time.

“Without it, the building would have had to close its doors after a century of use. As well as securing the future of the town hall, this work is going to provide all new community facilities for local people to enjoy.

“I am greatly looking forward to seeing the reaction of local people when the work is finished and the building can reopen its doors.”

 

This project represents the largest investment in arts and culture in Maesteg for generations, delivering state of the art facilities while also protecting and enhancing the rich heritage of the town hall.

Our partners, Awen Cultural Trust, and our Welsh contractors Knox and Wells have done an excellent job of working safely throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and I am delighted at the strong progress they are continuing to make.

Council Leader Huw David

Due to the pandemic and further restoration work being required on certain elements of the building such as the clocktower, the town hall is now scheduled to reopen in Spring 2022.

The £7.9m 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, the Davies Trust, the Pilgrim Trust, CADW, the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities Programme and its Museums, Archives and Libraries Division.