THE future of Abergele Community Centre has been safeguarded almost seven months after it closed.

Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) stopped taking bookings at the building from September 29, 2023 citing heating costs and cost-cutting as the reason for its decision.

Following a meeting of Abergele Town Council, councillors Tracey Brennan, Pauline Heap-Williams, and Ann Williamson formed the Abergele Conservation Trust.

This trust then submitted to CCBC a business case for taking over the property.

A decision has since been agreed “that a lease be granted to the Abergele Conservation Trust at nil rent, on terms and conditions as agreed by the county valuer and asset manager, on the condition that they enter into that lease within 12 months, having secured the grant funding to deliver the first stage of the refurbishment, as per the short-term plan in the report.”

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The trust’s goal is to maintain the Grade II listed building and ensure it continues to serve as a hub for community activities.

In a previous statement, it described the building as an “historic gem” with “rich heritage”.

Due to its status as a listed building, demolition was not an option for the centre.

An Abergele Conservation Trust statement read: "This landmark Grade II listed building, with its rich local historical significance, will not only be sympathetically restored and maintained, but also provide a safe and inclusive space for our residents.

"We will encourage and support local talent in arts, music, Abergele history, and Welsh language, marking a significant milestone in the area’s cultural and social development.

"We have made a commitment to not just the preservation of the building, but to enriching the lives of members of our community, and intend to be fully inclusive and encourage public participation in the development of our plans.

"A huge thank you to the residents of Abergele who were aware that we have been working on this project and have been very very supportive."

Clwyd West MS Darren Millar, who last year launched a petition to save the centre, has welcomed the news.

Mr Millar’s petition went on to receive more than 1,000 signatures.

He said: “This is good news and will hopefully secure the future of the building for many years to come.

 “The facility is much-loved and has been well used in the town for many years, so understandably the groups who meet there were outraged by CCBC’s decision to close it, particularly given that they were not consulted.

“The centre is an integral part of the local community, and its closure would have been a great loss and could have force groups to close down, impacting on people’s mental health.

“I therefore very much welcome the steps that have been taken since last year’s decision to secure its future.

“I look forward to seeing the refurbishment of the building and to seeing it being well-used once again by the local community for, hopefully, many more years to come.”