Aberystwyth Town Hall to be converted into library

Aberystwyth Town Hall is to be converted into the new Town Library. The decision to was taken at yesterday’s meeting of Ceredigion Council’s Cabinet. The decision, which will cost £1 million, looks like resolving ongoing uncertainty about the fate of the prestige building after the many Council Officers working there were transferred to Canolfan Rheidol, the new council offices, in September.

Many town residents miss being able to pay their Council Tax in the old Town Hall and it's only been the continued presence of Aberystwyth Town Council in the building that has prevented the windows from being boarded up. I’ve been critical of the County Council for failing to plan properly for the future of such a key building in the town but it looks as if they’ve finally come to the right decision.

The money agreed is only enough for Phase 1 of the planned ‘Town Hall Library and Archives Scheme’, Phase 1 being the library section. It’s thought that the work will entail making most of the central part of the building open plan. Further money will have to be obtained before Phase 2 - the archives - can also be moved and this may be years away.

The Town Council are being offered two small rooms within the building after the work is completed but will have to vacate the place whilst the conversion is being undertaken. It's thought that the work will start sometime this year. Of course the next question will be what will happen to the existing town library in Corporation Street.

Diolch i Dogfael am y llun