Llandudno's flagship entertainment and conference hub –
which is the second largest arts venue in Wales after the
Millennium Centre – is set for a major upgrade thanks to a £2
million investment from the Welsh Government Transforming Towns
Programme.
The funding will help support the revitalisation of the
30-year-old venue, which currently employs 179 people and
welcomes over 300,000 visitors annually, contributing £38.4
million to the regional economy.
Awarded to Conwy County Borough Council through the Welsh
Government's Transforming Towns programme, the new funding will
enable essential internal and external refurbishment
works.
This latest investment builds on over £500,000 already provided
by Welsh Government Transforming Towns in 2024–25 for
urgent upgrades and is part of the larger Venue Cymru Futures
project—a collaborative initiative also supported by Arts Council
of Wales.
Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, , said:
“Venue Cymru is a cornerstone of North Wales's cultural life and
a vital economic driver for Llandudno. This funding reflects our
commitment to breathing new life into our towns—creating places
where people want to live, work, and visit.
“Through Transforming Towns, we're investing in the future of our
communities and ensuring that iconic venues like Venue Cymru
continue to thrive.”
Sarah Ecob, Head of Service for Economy and Culture at Conwy
County Borough Council, said:
“We are thrilled to receive this funding as part of the
Transforming Towns programme.”
“This investment in the cultural future of our region will bring
lasting benefits to the communities in Conwy County and beyond
for many years to come. We're all incredibly excited about the
project and can't wait to get started.”
Notes to editors
To date, the Welsh Government has invested a total of over £2.5m
in the regeneration of Venue Cymru.
The Welsh Government's Transforming Towns programme is also
driving wider regeneration across Llandudno:
- £850,000 has been allocated to the Empty Spaces to Living
Places scheme, converting long-term vacant properties into
much-needed homes.
- £700,000 is supporting the redevelopment of the former
M&S building into a family-friendly indoor entertainment hub,
set to open in 2026.
Since 2022, £100 million has been invested across Wales through
Transforming Towns, with a further £57 million available in
2025–26. The programme is helping to create jobs, boost local
economies, and reimagine high streets as vibrant, mixed-use
spaces for living, working, and leisure.
Transforming Towns is a Welsh Government programme providing £100
million to town centre regeneration in Wales. Town and city
centres are an essential and personal part of Welsh heritage
and community, and the Transforming Towns programme is dedicated
to serving and connecting the people who live, work,
learn and spend leisure time in them.
Link: Transforming Towns:
support to improve town centres: Transforming Towns programme |
GOV.WALES
