Progress continues on multi-million-pound redevelopment of Maesteg Town Hall

Progress is continuing on the £7.9m redevelopment of Maesteg Town Hall, Bridgend County Borough Council have said.

Contractors Knox and Wells have completed steel framing work for a new glass extension.

New floor levels in the extension have been formed and from the Talbot Street entrance, a new series of stairs provides access to what will be the lower ground library and café area.

The council said that decorators have recently arrived on site preparing to paint the ceiling of the new library.

Improved access to public spaces are being provided by new staircases and an accessible lift.

Recently, the clock tower, which needed extensive repair and refurbishment, was completed and now the scaffolding has dropped, you can once again see the Hall’s most identifiable feature.

Inside, similar attention to detail has been taken whilst uncovering and preserving the Hall’s heritage features, which include the brick archways, tiling, cornicing and columns.

Maesteg Town Hall and Bridgend Theatres Manager Marina Newth and Awen employees recently held sessions with representatives of local community groups to discuss how the hall will be used when it reopens.

The sessions provided an opportunity for questions and answers as well as open discussions about using the hall and its facilities. It was well attended by music, dance, drama, children, and charity groups, some of which who have already booked the hall for dates in 2023.

Local dance group UDC Dance said: “We can’t wait to come home.”

Councillor Neelo Farr, Bridgend Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: “It is fantastic to see work progressing on the redevelopment of Maesteg Town Hall and I am pleased to hear that it is set to be enjoyed by the community when it reopens, with events already being booked in 2023.

“As the brand-new atrium structure begins to take place, the vision of what will be an all-new community and cultural space for local people is starting to come together.

“This historic Grade II-listed building is set to remain as a pillar of the community in the heart of Maesteg, with brand new accessible and inclusive facilities for everybody to enjoy.”

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

(Lead image: Bridgend County Borough Council)