The Council will soon undertake major work to demolish the former Bingo Hall and Angharad’s Nightclub buildings in Pontypridd, which will enable the future redevelopment of the strategic town centre site.
It has previously been announced that the Council has acquired the buildings, which have fallen into a state of disrepair, to develop the area as part of its wider Pontypridd Regeneration Plan. The aim is to bring the Bingo Hall site back into use after many years of being derelict, in much the same way that the Taff Vale Shopping Centre site has been transformed into Llys Cadwyn.
The Council can now confirm that it is exploring the opportunity and feasibility for a future hotel development on the Bingo Hall site, and that Officers are currently engaging the commercial sector in relation to this aspiration.
From August 2020, preparatory work ahead of the demolition process took place within the confines of the buildings – and this task was completed during the winter. The Council has now appointed Walters as the contractor to deliver the full demolition phase, with work confirmed to start on Monday, March 22, 2021.
The Council initially received Welsh Government funding to contribute to its acquisition of the site, and has now received further support from Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns initiative for the upcoming demolition.
The work to demolish the buildings down to street level is scheduled to be completed by late summer 2021. The site will be cordoned off, and signage will be in place to direct pedestrian movement in the vicinity of the site. All accesses into nearby buildings in the town centre will be maintained.
Residents and road users are advised that the current southbound lane closure on A4058 Sardis Road, located directly adjacent to the Bingo Hall, will remain in place for the duration of the demolition work, to ensure safety.
A full closure of this southbound section of Sardis Road is anticipated to be required for one weekend, to place a crane on the road which will assist with the demolition. This is anticipated to take place during the early weeks of the demolition phase, and the Council will communicate details in due course. All daily traffic through High Street, including buses, will operate as normal.
Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing, said: “The Council’s plan for the former Bingo Hall and Angharad’s Nightclub buildings continue its ambitious vision for Pontypridd – aimed at delivering significant regeneration, investment and growth through key projects across the town centre. We want to achieve this by improving the town’s commercial offer and increasing daily footfall.
“The Bingo Hall building is currently in poor condition and has a dilapidated appearance – which is certainly not the first impression we want those arriving in Pontypridd via train to have, particularly with the development of the South Wales Metro in the coming years to see 24 trains stop at the station per hour.
“It is a very exciting time for Pontypridd, with a number of important projects being developed. Through Llys Cadwyn, which was completed in October and ready to be brought into use when the pandemic allows, we’ve shown that these ambitious redevelopment projects are possible – and that the Council is committed to ensuring these long-term aspirations become reality.
“Good progress has also been made on the Cwrt yr Orsaf Pontypridd Extra Care development, the Pontypridd YMCA redevelopment and the works to rectify storm damage to Lido Ponty – while significant £4.5m plans to refurbish and reopen the Muni Arts Centre are also progressing behind the scenes.
“The Bingo Hall demolition will shortly start, and I’d like to thank residents and businesses for their cooperation as the work is carried out. Officers will work closely with the appointed contractor Walters to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum and that the town centre is able to operate as normal. In terms of traffic disruption, the current arrangement at Sardis Road will continue, while details of a weekend road closure required to install a crane will soon be finalised.”
Posted on 17/03/2021