Venue Cymru Grant Confirmed: Readers Say it’s a ‘Money Pit’ at £10 Million

The UK government granted Venue Cymru £10 million. This money will help with renovations in Llandudno. The prior government promised this funding earlier, and people worried the new government might cancel it.

The Labour government questioned funding from the Tories, saying the budget did not include those funds. Conwy council feared losing their £10 million, but the UK government confirmed the funding this week.

Venue Cymru plans to move the library and tourism office from Mostyn Street. This plan is facing local pushback, and people are worried about the town center. The funding confirmation puts this plan back on the table, though the local authority has made no final decision yet. Newport Transporter Bridge got £5 million as well for essential repairs.

These projects are part of a bigger levelling-up plan, with ten UK projects set to continue after the review. Some readers shared their thoughts online.

One person mentioned spending on Alice statues and painting the paddling pool earlier, questioning oversight on local council spending and whether they get the best value for money. Another person said external auditors will check the grant claims, ensuring the council followed procurement rules.

One reader thinks the arts should support themselves, arguing that if not enough people attend, it may not be needed; they believe other projects need funds more and feel arts groups constantly ask for money. Another person replied online suggesting that the same may be said for many other sectors requiring support.

Someone else said Venue Cymru brings money to North Wales, mentioning that visitors stay overnight, eat, and drink locally, bringing conference money and employing 80 people who pay local taxes. Another reader seemed confused by a statement about Welsh tourism.

Someone else wants new, comfortable seats at Venue Cymru, saying the current seats are very uncomfortable, and another person agreed with this point. One person suggested Venue Cymru become a charity like Theatr Clwyd did in Mold, claiming this may reduce costs for the County Council.

One reader believed the theatre closing would cause complaints about lost amenities for tourists and a loss of local jobs. Someone responded about where contractors are from for the work, suspecting contractors from outside Wales are likely to get hired. They added Venue Cymru has been costly since it opened in 1982, and had renovations in 1994 and 2005, and now it needs another £10 million renovation.

Finally, someone questioned why Venue Cymru doesn’t pay for upkeep and wondered who is earning money from this theatre.