We are transforming the old grade II listed St Mary’s Church on Garth Road as part of a £4m project.

The development will see the building being transformed into a fully accessible space that will house a small performance and rehearsal space, an underground studio, and various smaller creative spaces for artist residencies.

The vast outdoor space will be a valuable addition to the green spaces available in the city and will include multi purpose performance spaces, a community kitchen and garden.

BUZZ AS WORK STARTS

Gethin Evans, our Artistic Director, said:

“We are so excited to see work starting on site for our new home, Nyth. This new space will be a hub for young people, artists and the wider community to come together, connect, challenge, create and share through the arts.“

Nia Jones, our Executive Director added:

“Nyth will be a hub with collaboration at its core where we will work with artistic and strategic partners to promote high quality arts experiences to drive positive social change.

“Supporting young people to reach their potential underpins everything we do, and giving them agency over the development of this project has resulted in an inspirational building in terms of design and an ambitious and progressive programme of creative activity for the future.”

SUPPORT FROM PARTNERS

The project has been allocated £1.8m from the National Lottery, administered through Arts Council of Wales, £1.2m through Cyngor Gwynedd by Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, £300,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund, £250,000 from the Community Facilities Programme, £200,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, and £172,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Further pledges of support have been received from The Pennant Foundation, Cist Gwynedd, Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, Oakdale Trust and the Laspen Trust.

SET FOR 2022

The development, which is being delivered by heritage construction specialists Grosvenor Ltd, is due to be completed in November 2022.

Once complete, the new centre will become a creative hub where young people and artists can develop their ideas and create exceptional and relevant theatre that speaks from North West Wales to the rest of the country and beyond.

Phil George, Chair, Arts Council of Wales, said:

“It’s exciting to see these new physical spaces getting underway through a powerful set of funding partnerships. Fran Wen is one of the cornerstones of Welsh theatre and for over three decades, it’s been stimulating audiences and inspiring young people to participate in theatre. Nyth will strengthen the company’s links with communities across North Wales, breathe new life into this old building, and provide new opportunities for the actors, writers, and backstage workers who will amaze us in the future”

Minister for Climate Change Julie James said:

“I’m delighted to see good money from our Transforming Towns fund being well spent. This new arts, culture and community hub for young people will boost Bangor’s rich roots in the arts and boost the wellbeing of a community.

“Our Transforming Towns programme is providing £136 million to further support the economic and social recovery of town and city centres across Wales, building on existing investment of £800 million in over 50 of our towns since 2014. Transforming Towns is focussed on improving biodiversity and green infrastructure, repurposing neglected properties, increasing flexible working and living space, and providing access to services. We are investing heavily to ensure that our towns not only survive but thrive, and I want local authorities to be bold like Bangor in reinvigorating our most beautiful buildings into places where people want to spend their time.”

Councillor Gareth Thomas, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Community, said:

“Gwynedd Council supports the Nyth project and the positive impact that it will have on Bangor City Centre. High Streets across the County are facing increasing challenges and we are confident that this investment and the activity that will be within the new centre will contribute towards the regeneration of Bangor City Centre.”

Photos by Kristina Banholzer.

Picture 1: Members of Frân Wen Young Company with John Wilson from Grosvenor Construction.
Picture 2: Pryderi Ap Rhisart (Frân Wen Board Chair, John Wilson (Grosvenor Construction) and Gethin Evans (Frân Wen Artistic Director).