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.

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."