Locals hope to develop Blaenau's market hall into a community venue

The Market Hall in Blaenau Ffestiniog was once an important public venue but has been empty for about 20 years.

A charity set up by local people to rescue the hall held a consultation meeting on Thursday to discuss their latest plans for bringing the hall back to life.

Menter y Moelwyn (The Moelwyn Initiative) has nearly completed a feasibility study and business plan for the project which they hope will give a much needed boost to the former slate town which is now in an Objective One area.

Their aim is to provide opportunities for the whole community of Blaenau Ffestiniog and offer a secure future for the historic building.

The first floor of the building has the potential to be one of the best venues in north Wales Musician, Rhys Roberts

Eifion Williams, Chairman of Menter y Moelwyn, said: "Our aim is to adapt and convert the hall, providing facilities which can be used by activity providers to offer a wide variety of opportunities for everyone in the area, particularly young people.

"These should include a recording studio and practising facilities, a performance space, bingo, a caf�, space for adult education classes, including art and pottery, a cinema, maybe a climbing wall, and much more besides."

David Lloyd George, who lived at Llanystumdwy near Criccieth in Gwynedd, made his first major public speech at the hall in 1886 when he was 23 years old.

The orator went on to become leader of the Liberal Party and then British Prime Minister in 1916.

The hall faced the threat of demolition some years ago because it had fallen into disrepair and no longer had a function as a public venue.

Recording studio

Consultants have previously been employed to carry out feasibility studies on making use of the hall.

However, the hall has been partly renovated and this is the first time that a business plan has been drawn up for and by a group which aims to take over and make use of the hall itself, which is currently owned by Gwynedd Council.

"Our aim is to use the hall to put the community of Blaenau back on track," said Eifion Williams.

"We want to give young people a place to go, not only to hang out but also to learn skills and improve their qualifications - we want them to enjoy going there."

Lloyd George made his mark in his 1886 speech in Blaenau Ffestiniog

One of those involved is local musician, Rhys Roberts.

He said: "Alwyn Evans and myself, who are both members of the funk group Anweledig, have set up a not-for-profit company by the name of 'Gwallgofiaid' with the aim of working with Menter y Moelwyn to establish a recording studio performance space for bands and DJs in the hall.

"The first floor of the building has the potential to be one of the best venues in north Wales.

"We've already done acoustic tests of the first floor and the results were excellent.

"Bearing in mind both this and the number of people the hall can hold, it seems that we're sitting on a pot of gold!" he said.