Response to funding announcement by UK Government

Response to funding announcement by UK Government

Venue Cymru

Conwy County Borough Council has welcomed the announcement that Venue Cymru has been awarded £10m by the UK Government, subject to the submission of a full business case.

Cllr Dilwyn Roberts, Cabinet Member for Culture, Governance and IT, said: “We’re delighted to be chosen as one of the projects in this round of funding and we’re looking forward to expanding the cultural offer to the communities in Conwy County and further afield.

“Arts and culture are of huge importance in delivering a positive economic impact and in supporting the wellbeing of our communities.  This funding will help protect the future of Venue Cymru and its work.”

Sarah Ecob, Head of Economy & Culture, said:  “Venue Cymru welcomes visitors from around the UK and overseas every year, delivering over £30m in economic benefit to local businesses as well as offering visitors and our local community an exciting, diverse range of cultural events and activities.

“The investment in Venue Cymru is great news for the area and comes on the back of substantial funding investment in Llandudno from Welsh Government and UK Government, which has included work on the former M&S building on Mostyn Street, upgrade of all the shelters on the promenade, refurbishment of the popular Alice trail, and multiple business support grants.

“We’re looking forward to working with UK Government over the next few weeks to understand the details of the offer and to progress the project, which will help to safeguard a number of our services at this time of severe financial pressure for local authorities.”

Link to UK Government Press Release: Regional growth and regeneration to be sparked by cash boost for Wales' critical culture projects - GOV.UK  

Additional Information:  The Venue Cymru project focuses on developing the arts and creative offer at Venue Cymru, including improvements to the auditorium and foyer spaces to enhance the visitor experience and to provide facilities for the creative industries. We will now go through a further planning process and will issue updates on the full scope of the project as we have more details.  The plans will take into account available funding and the increase in costs since the first submission was made to the UK Government.  Included in the considerations will be modernisation of the theatre technical and seating infrastructure, extension of the building to deliver a Creative Hub and new community facilities, and the potential to move the area library in order to safeguard the service at a time of severe financial pressures.  

Background: As part of Autumn Budget Statement, we were informed that the Government was minded to withdraw the funding for culture projects announced in the Spring Budget 2024 - this included the £10 million for Venue Cymru.  The UK Government carried out a consultation with potential recipients to establish if any exceptions should be made.  We fully engaged with that process.