Community Asset Transfer case study: Carnegie House

Background

Alongside this, the local arts organisation, Bridgend Arts Ltd, had identified that the town centre lacked an arts venue and could not offer space for local artists to meet and present their work. Members of Bridgend Arts Ltd met with Bridgend Town Council to present a vision for how the old town library might be used to respond creatively to this situation. 

Through collaboration and following detailed discussions with Bridgend County Borough Council, the Town Council relocated to the former public library building, founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1907, in Wyndham Street in January 2014. With permission from the Carnegie Trust and to pay tribute to the past, the building was renamed Carnegie House/Tŷ Carnegie.

Business

The aim of Carnegie House is to provide a high standard of art and cultural events and activities. This includes a programme of professional events as well as community and educational activities that encourage local people to get involved in the arts in all its different aspects. Events hosted at the venue include live performance, arts classes, workshops, musical events and exhibitions. 

The first floor of the building accommodates the Town Council Chamber, Board Room and staff office, whilst the ground floor and a small gallery area on the first floor are designated for the arts. 

The Town Council has used its funds to undertake refurbishment of the building, which has included replacing the heating system, renovating and redecorating the ground and first floor rooms (in Edwardian colours), and replacing the flooring in the entrance hall, on the stairs and throughout the first and the main hall. 

In September 2014, the Town Council was awarded a grant from the Arts Council of Wales to develop a programme of events at the venue throughout 2015. Additional funding was later secured for an events programme for 2016. 

In order to enhance the delivery of the new arts programme, the Arts Council of Wales awarded capital funding, which was match funded by the Town Council. It is proposed that this will be used to further improve the facilities and equipment in the building, providing a stage, lighting, PA system and display boards as well as making significant alterations to the main hall. 

The internal works will improve views for audiences by reducing the size of the central pillars and improving the acoustics in the room by removing the suspended ceiling. 

A project to repair and restore the exterior stone work of the building was funded by a Heritage Lottery Grant with match funding provided by Bridgend County Borough Council and Bridgend Town Council.

Details

By the end of the 2015 programme, the Hub had programmed:

• 17 events for artist development
• 18 professional arts events, including drama and theatre, literature and storytelling, spoken word and comedy, music and visual arts
• A range of activities, including performances and workshops for four seasonal events
• A range of events which engaged specific audiences: children and young people, adults and older people, families, Welsh language families and children with disabilities

Benefits

The Town Council and Carnegie House sought to engage with and inspire the people, audiences and artists in Bridgend by providing opportunities for people to be creative, enjoy new cultural experiences and engage in community life. 

The Community Asset Transfer from Bridgend County Borough Council has returned a civic building into public use, and made a historical building relevant by providing a focal point for the arts and creative media in the area. 

The library that was relocated from Carnegie House has also benefited by moving into a more purposeful space near to the town centre with appropriate amenities, and other leisure facilities are provided in a multi-use setting at the leisure centre. The Halo Trust manages the leisure facility and has spent a substantial sum on refurbishing the space. Footfall to the library has increased following the relocation, despite its move out of the town centre. 

The building that had originally housed Bridgend Town Council and Bridgend County Borough Council on the outskirts of town has been sold to a private developer who will be redeveloping the site. 

The Town Council is now positioned within a central location that has raised its profile and increased both its visibility and accessibility, and Bridgend County Borough Council has consolidated its presence alongside other council functions.

Further information