Iconic hall revamp to get going by autumn
A START on resurrecting Neath's landmark Gwyn Hall at a cost of £8 million will be made within a matter of months.
Preparatory work is expected to begin this autumn with the full restoration following either late this year or early next year.
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Artist's impression of the new-look Gwyn Hall
Council chiefs said the new-look hall was still on target to reopen in mid-2011 after its multi-million pound refit — less than four years after a fire reduced it to a charred shell.
Residents have come out overwhelmingly in favour of designs for the historic hall, which will take on a new lease of life as a first-class arts venue for the region.
Council leader Ali Thomas said: "We are looking to continue with detailed design work and project management with the aim of starting work by the end of the year or the beginning of next year."
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by eddie, uplands
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 6:29AM
“This hall is NOT 'iconic' - how exactly is it like an icon? Landmark, maybe - but not iconic. What an awful trite tabloid cliche that is - everything is iconic all the time -learn how to write better copy, EP hacks.”
by Mark, Neath
Saturday, July 04 2009, 8:16PM
“Dave: In answer to your question, all those sites contain flats. You may or may not have noticed that I haven't once mentioned "flats" in my comment. I was only commenting on the Gwyn Hall, which is what this thread is supposed to be about. You are the one who mentioned flats in the thread and the main reason I didn't comment on that is because I actually agree with you on that matter, there are flats popping up everywhere and it does spoil our little town. I would just like to add that I don't think the council actually own the flats in question. I'm not 100% sure about all of them but some of them are definitely not council owned.”
by dave, swansea
Saturday, July 04 2009, 7:27PM
“Before I leave it in your capable hands Mark.
What is where the Talk of the abbey,Mustang Sally's public house,Co-op in Alfred Street and the Petrol station in Neath.
All the best with your town.”
by Mark, Neath
Saturday, July 04 2009, 6:11PM
“The Gwyn Hall was insured and the insurance company have agreed to make payment.
The payment was not enough on it's own to re build so the council asked the residents of Neath, for their opinion on whether the re build should be pursued.
The out come was overwhelmingly to RE BUILD so the council set about locating cultural grants and private investment to top up the insurance pot for the project.
The money was eventually all found from these sources and plans were drawn up. The plans then went on view for public consultation which also went very well.!!
The report that the project is now set to start soon is excellent news for the town and for the people of Neath. It's very important for any town or city to have a venue for operatic/theatrical groups to use and also to bring more entertainment to the town.
Dave, this project is going ahead because of the massive local public response. Obviously, there are people in Neath who don't care about the Gwyn Hall and that is their choice but they are in a small minority. You are in Swansea and whether you have ever lived in Neath or not, this has absolutely nothing to do with you so concentrate on the place you are living in. Neath is not your problem, don't worry about us.!!”
by Bob, Neath
Saturday, July 04 2009, 6:01PM
“I do hope that the Gwyn Hall will be built to the same standard, and design that was there before it was mysteriously on fire.
I am glad that the council is holding onto some of it's local historical monuments, and not demolishing the town as what happened to Port Talbot in the early 70's.
I't a shame that the Cimla Court Hotel was knocked down, and if the council had got their own way we would have had The Saltins resurrected in the lower Cimla, with three blocks of seven story flats. Hmm that would have been nice.”