Gwynedd Council’s Development Scrutiny Committee has approved a recommendation to explore possible alternative management arrangements for Neuadd Dwyfor in Pwllheli.
Officers will now undertake a detailed assessment of all the possible options, including the option of transferring the facility to an external body, before reporting back to the Council Board in the coming months.
Councillor Roy Owen, who leads on heritage and the arts for Gwynedd Council said:
“For over 100 years, Neuadd Dwyfor has been a much-loved cultural venue. As a Council, we are totally committed to its continued long-term use as a theatre, cinema, exhibition space and cultural centre for the local community.
“The Council has no intention whatsoever to close Neuadd Dwyfor but, the fact that the Council has no option but to deliver £40 million of savings over the next four years means that we must consider alternative ways of managing the facility. This includes considering the possibility of transferring responsibility for managing Neuadd Dwyfor to another body with experience and expertise of running similar facilities.
“Our hope is that we will be able to identify a new way of doing things which will not only secure the future of Neuadd Dwyfor but will also enable it to fulfil its potential. Such an option will only be considered if councillors are satisfied that this is the best possible option for the facility.”
Councillor Keith Marshall, who chaired the Council’s heritage and the arts improvement working group added:
“As a working group, we were very impressed by the hard work and dedication of all the staff at Neuadd Dwyfor who put their hearts into their work. It is clear to all of us that Neuadd Dwyfor is much more than a cinema, it is also an important community and cultural centre with valuable connections with local schools and community groups. Neuadd Dwyfor provides valuable exhibition space as well as being a live theatre for professional and community productions and it also the base for the Pwllheli library.
“We believe that the best way forward is that services at Neuadd Dwyfor are protected for the future, be that through Gwynedd Council management or an external body.”
Detailed work to assess the options, including the opportunities and risks of transferring responsibility for managing the facility, will be undertaken over the next few months. It is expected that a further report will then be presented to councillors later this year.