Last stall in the market
THE last remaining stall in Maesteg’s historic indoor market is set to relocate, leaving the hall empty for the first time in 136 years.
THE last remaining stall in Maesteg’s historic indoor market is set to relocate, leaving the hall empty for the first time in 136 years.
Sew and Sew will move to one of the outdoor units on the market square in April after traders Marcelle Humphreys and Elizabeth Langdon defied council chiefs to become the “last stall standing”.
The other stalls have either relocated – some to the outdoor area – or closed down altogether as Bridgend County Borough Council pushes ahead with controversial plans to create what it has termed a “cultural hub” including a library.
But a project document given to traders by the council has now revealed the market hall could remain empty for a year before regeneration work starts if external grant applications are successful.
The document said the project’s aim was to “repair, restore and extend Maesteg Town Hall with the aim of creating a cultural and community venue of significance to support the social and economic regeneration of the town and wider valley community”.
It adds that construction is scheduled to start in April 2019. But funding must first be gained through the Europeanfunded Buildings for the Future programme and Heritage Lottery Fund.
Marcelle said when the scheme was first announced in September 2016 they were “led to believe that we only had six months of trading left in the indoor market”.
“We have now been informed that the council are still applying for funding and that work will not begin until April 2019,” she said.
“This will only happen if they acquire the funding that they need. So we could all have had another 12 months of trading at our original rents.
“When we do relocate to the outdoor market, into unit six, there will only be 11 traders left out of the original 21. Maesteg is already struggling to keep people here for shopping. To see so many businesses going to the wall and not just in the market is having a domino effect on the town.
“Yes the town hall and the market need extensive work, as they have been left too long without proper maintenance, and we know that some work has to be carried out. But a glass-fronted atrium is not really essential.
“Unfortunately all of this will either go ahead with funding or the building will close and fall into disrepair.
“It will be a very sad day when we close up shop in the indoor market on April 12 but at least we tried our best to save a priceless asset for Maesteg.”
A Bridgend council spokesman said: “We felt it best to serve notice on market traders as early as possible as we were able to offer them the alternative option of relocating to the outdoor market. Many have done so and are trading well.
“The indoor market hall will be closed when the last remaining trader leaves. The town hall itself will continue to be operated by the Awen Cultural Trust as a performance venue for as long as it is appropriate to do so.
“We are committed to securing an exciting future for Maesteg Town Hall in partnership with Awen and have no intention whatsoever to end the project until the redevelopment has been completed.”