Community Asset Transfer case study: Galeri Caernarfon

Background

Galeri Caernarfon Cyf was established in 1992 (under its previous name Cwmni Tref Caernarfon) to “pursue social, economic and environmental projects for the benefit of the community in Caernarfon and its environs” by the current Chief Executive Gwyn Roberts. 

It operates in partnership with colleagues from a variety of private businesses and Community Groups, together with the Local Authority.

Business

The centre of Caernarfon is now a World Heritage Site, but in the mid 1980s over half the properties within the walled town were derelict, vacant or for sale. Cwmni Tref Caernarfon’s first brief was to buy and then completely refurbish a selection of the most important of those buildings. 

There was a clear social enterprise vision from the outset, and to date, it has renovated and refurbished over 28 neglected and vacant properties in the town, which are now occupied by tenants, including shops, offices, flats, two cafes, a music training centre and a pub. 

The development of the ‘Galeri Creative Enterprise Centre’ has been the largest and most ambitious of the Trust’s projects to date. It is a brand new £7.5m creative enterprise centre, which opened its doors in the town’s Victoria Dock on 7 March 2005. 

The centre houses a flexible 400-seat auditorium, which also doubles up as a cinema (the first live entertainment venue in Caernarfon in over 20 years), several rehearsal and practice studios, an art space, café bar, rooms for hire, conference facilities and 27 enterprise units, which currently house 15 creative companies all engaged in artistic or creative work.

Benefits

• Bringing people back into the town centre as residents, shoppers or tourists
• Regeneration was a catalyst for the economic regeneration of Caernarfon, creating new retail and office premises and improving the built environment with high quality refurbishment and renovation
• The community is empowered and supported in becoming key stakeholders for the project
• As a social enterprise and development trust, Galeri, is truly independent and driven by its social, cultural and economic mission. Twenty properties have been restored since 1922, including commercial, residential buildings and a pub. Many were listed buildings within the walled town and the town has now achieved World Heritage Status
• The benefits, experience and track record in Caernarfon town centre were built upon and transferred to the five slate mining valleys surrounding Caernarfon, which were suffering significant social, physical and economic neglect
• The success of the Caernarfon Arts Projects (SBARC) helped build the case for the Galeri Creative Enterprise Centre
• Rents secured on each completed property help to pay for subsequent restorations, while financial surpluses help to fund the new Galeri Creative Enterprise Centre

Lessons learned

• Grand visions can be achieved –with a lot of motivation and determination but also flexibility
• When planning your project, build in asset development and income generation from the start of the planning process
• The increase in staff from four people in 2002 to 40 staff in 2006 required organisational, HR and skills development. Many staff members have stayed within the organisation with increased roles or responsibilities
• Ensure that your ideas are seen as carefully constructed, effective, best value and (most importantly) attractive to statutory or private sector investors
• Work with local individuals, groups and organisations so that your local community is involved in what is happening
• Never give up even if the key partners do not follow through with commitment to your vision

Further information