Funding to bring new life to old buildings

THREE landmark buildings in the South Wales Valleys are set to be brought back to life as funding has been granted to give them a makeover.

Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council has confirmed the former Mountain Ash Town Hall, Llwynypia Magistrates’ Court and the current RHA Wales will be transformed into community and business hotspots.

All three projects have been made possible due to investment from the Welsh Government and its Transforming Towns and Valleys Taskforce initiative, working in partnership with RCT council and its developers. The funding provides support for developing and improving underused or derelict properties, and bringing them back into use.

Mountain Ash Town Hall, a Grade II listed building, was built in 1904 at a cost of £5,000. It initially served as the offices of Mountain Ash Urban District Council, and has continued to be used as a property of the respective local authority, but it’s now set to be transformed into a co-working hub.

It’s planned the site will provide flexible workspace for new start-ups and businesses. This has been made possible due to £250,000 funding from the Valleys Taskforce, and further funding from the council’s own Major Project Investment Fund.

Funding has also been secured for the council to go ahead with the Courthouse Redevelopment Project at the former Llwynypia Magistrates’ Court. The building will be transformed into a multipurpose structure. Ideally it will be used as a business incubation and co-working space. The project is set to go ahead thanks to £250,000 funding from the Valleys Taskforce, and a further £50,000 from the council’s own Major Project Investment Fund. It will also see the opening of a cafe and fully-equipped gym for those who use the building.

Working with the council, RHA is also developing a pilot co-working space “Work Shed” at its offices in Tonypandy after securing £49,400 funding from the Valleys Taskforce.

The space is set to be located on the ground floor, with RHA staff occupying the upper floors. The co-working development will include 12 high-quality desk spaces, super-fast broadband, private meeting rooms, kitchen facilities, disabled access and a reception service.

Andrew Morgan, RCT council leader, said: “All three redevelopment projects will provide office space for prospective local businesses and also existing local businesses, with funding provided by Welsh Government’s Valleys Taskforce and the council.”