£800k proposed for Gwynedd arts centre Neuadd Dwyfor facelift
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An almost £800,000 facelift looks likely for a Gwynedd arts centre to bolster visitor numbers and generate more revenue.
A report to the Gwynedd council cabinet next week will ask for £570,000 of council funds to finance improvements to Neuadd Dwyfor, which officers believe would be eventually recouped from better ticket sales.
According to the council, while members of the public feel there are many positives at Neuadd Dwyfor, which houses a theatre, cinema and library, complaints have been made regarding the quality of the seating, foyer and lack of food and drink.
The centre attracted 52,000 visitors in 2018/19, but it was said that there was a need to show new films closer to their release dates and a need to invest in better technology.
Efforts have previously been made to outsource the facility to a community group and even shut it altogether.
But officers now believe that the best course of action would be to “invest to save” and maximise profits, due to it being the only such facility in south Gwynedd – despite Neuadd Dwyfor currently costing the council £161,000.
Earmarked for the funding are:
Better food and drink
Installing new seats
Reviewing the programme
Generating income from meeting / activity rooms
Better digital marketing
First opening its doors to show silent movies in 1911, it is the only such facility still run by Gwynedd Council since Bala’s Neuadd Buddug was transferred to Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn.
But the report that will be presented to cabinet members next week notes that Neuadd Dwyfor has “now reached a crossroad in terms of its future”, with £569,447 being earmarked from the authority’s Transformation Fund.
The remainder of the £779,314 cost is likely to come thanks to another £89,867 in capital receipts of the economy and community department and £120,000 thanks to the Welsh Government.
“Having reviewed the options, not investing to save would create a situation where Neuadd Dwyfor would be a resource generating more annual loss for the council and put the viability and future of Neuadd Dwyfor at stake,” states the report.
“As closing Neuadd Dwyfor would also require one off investment to be achieved, the difference in one off investment between both options (closing or improving the facility) is £399,500.
“Closure would clearly lead to more savings to the council; however it would also lead to the loss of an important facility locally. If all potential savings are achieved the facility would still cost £61,670 to all the county’s taxpayers.
“Closing would detrimentally affect the town of Pwllheli and the area in terms of the economy and regeneration, and from an arts, cultural and linguistic viewpoint.”
A decision is expected when Gwynedd Council’s cabinet meets in Caernarfon on Tuesday, March 10.
By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter
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