The Market Hall Blaenau Ffestiniog

The request was successful.

Dear Gwynedd Council,
I make this request under the freedom of information act, and my request is as follows.

-Around the year 1993 a grant was applied for for the renovation of The Matket Hall in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The application was successful, the first such grant to be awarded in Wales and was funded by the Royal Institute of Abritish Architects’ Community Project Fund.
The plan was to reopen The Market Hall as a Heritage Centre/ Museum, however those plans where never followed through and the doors to this building have rarely opened since.

1- I seek information concerning this grant that was awarded, wish to know the total amount of the grant, and also its whereabouts.

2- If this grant was used elsewhere, please could you tell me ‘Where’ and on what project.

3- Why was the Hall not reopened as planed and transformed into a Heritage Centre/Museum for the local community as planned?

4- What other plans have the council had over the years that failed to be seen through? And why did these plans fail?

5- Exactly What has the council done or attempted to do since the closure of The Market Hall inorder to attempt to save this historical building?

6- What are the future plans for the Market Hall Blaenau Ffestiniog.

7- Finally, What is the overall cost of the renovation needed to reopen the doors of The Market Hall? Please supply the most up to date servayor report.

Thank you

Yours faithfully,

Miss Williams

Rhyddid Gwybodaeth, Gwynedd Council

Thank you for your recent request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Your request has been passed to me to process and I can confirm that it has been logged under the reference number T584.

The Council may take up to 20 working days, from the date of receipt, to respond to your request. You should therefore receive the information you have requested, subject to the application of any exemptions permitted under the Act, by 5/11/2018.

If you require further information please contact me by phone on 01286 679734 or by emailing [email address].cymru by quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely,
W Green

Green Wena Haf (CG), Gwynedd Council

Dear Miss Williams,

Freedom of Information (Ref T584)

Thank you for your recent request. Please see below for the information requested:

Around the year 1993 a grant was applied for for the renovation of The Matket Hall in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The application was successful, the first such grant to be awarded in Wales and was funded by the Royal Institute of Abritish Architects’ Community Project Fund.
The plan was to reopen The Market Hall as a Heritage Centre/ Museum, however those plans where never followed through and the doors to this building have rarely opened since.

1- I seek information concerning this grant that was awarded, wish to know the total amount of the grant, and also its whereabouts. - Gwynedd Council do not have any information relating to this grant. Grant schemes usually pose a date to retain documents associated with any given grants which are ususall 5 or 10 years. The information by today is not available.

2- If this grant was used elsewhere, please could you tell me ‘Where’ and on what project. - as above Gwynedd Council does not have this information.

3- Why was the Hall not reopened as planed and transformed into a Heritage Centre/Museum for the local community as planned? - as above Gwynedd Council does not have this information.

4- What other plans have the council had over the years that failed to be seen through? And why did these plans fail? - In 2004, through Local Regeneration's officers time and through the Gwynedd Key Fund grant, Gwynedd Council supported Menter y Moelwyn in their efforts to develop a business case and architectural plans for a multi use arts, educational and entertainment centre at the Market Hall. This was a community led project led by a community venture called Menter y Moelwyn. Although not a Gwynedd Council project there was support towards the project and Gwynedd were happy to discuss potential transfer of the building to the group should a sound business case be achieved. Unfortunately, this community venture did not come to fruition.

5- Exactly What has the council done or attempted to do since the closure of The Market Hall inorder to attempt to save this historical building? - as above support was given to a local community group but project was not implemented. Market Hall was sold by Gwynedd Council in 2009.

6- What are the future plans for the Market Hall Blaenau Ffestiniog. - Market Hall is in private ownership since 2009

7- Finally, What is the overall cost of the renovation needed to reopen the doors of The Market Hall? Please supply the most up to date servayor report - Gwynedd Council does not hold this information

Please note that where information is subject to copyright belonging to the Council, you will need to obtain the permission of the Council to re-use it for purposes other than private study or non-commercial research. The Council may charge for re-use. Where third party copyright material is disclosed, you must obtain permission to re-use from the copyright holders concerned.

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Yours sincerely,
W Green