Art shop closing after hall taken over by developer

AN INDEPENDENT arts shop is closing after developers took over a former bingo hall in the heart of a Valleys town.

Churchills Art & Stationery will close permanently at the end of June after running for about 25 years.

On May 1, property developers took control of the former bingo hall in Pontypridd which meant all of the shops on the ground floor had to leave the building on High Street.

But what is planned for one of the most prominent and visible buildings in the town remains a mystery.

Shop owner David Churchill, 63, said: “I’m feeling sad, of course.

“We were given six months’ notice but we have known this was coming for about two years.

“Personally, we were hoping that it would not come to anything but here we are.

“I did try to find another shop but there was nothing that was suitable.”

Plans to demolish the hall and build 55 assisted living apartments and shops were submitted in January 2017, but were later withdrawn by the applicant.

No further plans have been submitted, but Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) council said interest has been building and it is likely to be demolished.

Mr Churchill said he believed a London-based firm has bought the property.

The last planning application in January 2017 was made by Task Estates Ltd & Hedlunds PE Ltd.

A document submitted to RCT council in December 2016 by the company said the bingo hall was no longer in use due to damp and safety issues including “asbestos and parts of the building falling off”.

It added: “It is an unattractive building which is not economically viable to bring back into use and therefore will continue to decay as no maintenance is being done.”

Churchills is able to stay at its current site until July, but Mr Churchill has made the decision to close at the end June.

David said: “Our customers have been very supportive and they said they’re going to miss us.

“I just wanted the independence to run things my own way, and we have been successful over the years.

“It is sad but that just seems to be the way retail is going. Everything is moving online and unfortunately think we’re the dinosaurs.

“But in some ways it’s a relief now that it’s definite. We know what we need to do and just get on with it.”

RCT council said the bingo hall is a “key development opportunity” in the town, and cited other major investment schemes in the area including the Taff Vale project.

A council spokeswoman said: “At an important gateway location for the town centre and opposite the station, the bingo hall represents an exciting development opportunity for mixed

Iuses including new homes, workspaces and food and drink outlets.

“Interest has been building and the council is actively working with partners across the town to develop and promote development opportunities.

“It is likely that the redevelopment of the bingo hall will involve its demolition and the council is heavily involved with the private sector in working up proposals for this exciting and prominent location.”

Travel agents Signature Travel, also part of the building, said it was moving to nearby premises in the town centre.