We want your views on the development of Neuadd Gwenfrewi – restoration of the former St. Winefride’s Church on Queen’s Road into a community and cultural space for the people of Aberystwyth.
The Presbytery:
The Presbytery house attached to the Church is currently being renovated to become the Town Council’s offices. The Town Council’s current offices, on Baker Street, are rented and cost the Aberystwyth ratepayer £18,000 per year. The lease of these offices is due to end in November 2024 and restoration work to the Presbytery is expected to be completed in June/July 2024.
The Former Church
Aberystwyth Town Council is currently preparing an application to the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund for grant funding to restore the former Church and adapt it into a community hall and cultural/civic venue. The restoration of the former Church will be sympathetic, retaining as much of its original character and features as possible, but with the addition of insulation and solar panels to improve the building’s energy efficiency and create a warmer, more welcoming space for the community. As a community hall, Neuadd Gwenfrewi would be a flexible space suitable for hosting many different events and for use by community groups and organisations. Some potential uses include:
- Music and theatre performances or rehearsals
- A meeting space for community groups or residents’ associations to hold their annual meetings
- A new emergency centre for the town (currently Plascrug Leisure Centre, which is not central and difficult for many to access in an emergency)
- A venue for civil weddings or memorials; the site has been deconsecrated, allowing it to meet a demand for traditional-style Church weddings, but without the religious attachment.
- Space for youth clubs or children’s activities, such as mother & toddler groups
- Activities for older people
- Fitness classes and activities such as dance or yoga classes
Aberystwyth Town Council is applying to the Community Ownership Fund to secure funding to carry out the restoration of the Church and create this community hub that will serve Aberystwyth for years to come. If successful, this would see Neuadd Gwenfrewi open its doors and welcome the public in 2025. There are also plans to develop the site further in the future, with a new ‘eco-build’ flexible use building attached to the Church, although funding for this still needs to be sourced.
As part of its application to the Community Ownership Fund, the Town Council is seeking views and input on the project from local residents and groups. You, or your group, could have an impact on the development of the project and the future of this historic asset by simply completing the following short survey; this is available as a paper form that can be returned to the Town Council using the below details, or is also available to complete online; likewise, please contact us if you have any questions, or would like any further information.
Architect’s Drawings
The following PDFs can be opened if viewing this document digitally (double click on the icon); remember that this is available online using the QR code or link provided. These show the proposed floorplans and roof plan of the site. These are reflected in the images below.
