Maesteg Town Hall

Reviving a civic landmark

Introduction

Standing at the heart of Maesteg since 1881, the Grade II-listed Town Hall has long been a focal point for the community. Built to serve the town’s growing mining population, the building remains an important symbol of Maesteg’s social and cultural heritage.

Appointed as architects, heritage consultants and principal designer, Purcell worked with Bridgend County Borough Council and Awen Cultural Trust to restore and transform the historic building. The completed project has repaired extensive deterioration, improved accessibility, and introduced new cultural and community facilities, securing a sustainable future for the building.

Restoring a historic landmark

Despite its continued use, the hall had fallen into disrepair, suffering from water ingress, structural decay, and facilities no longer suited to contemporary audiences.

The project combined careful conservation with targeted interventions, preserving the building’s historic character while adapting it for modern use. Extensive repairs were undertaken to the building fabric, including masonry, joinery, windows, doors, and the landmark clock tower.

A particular focus was the restoration of the ornate clock tower, one of Maesteg’s most recognisable features. Repairs included conservation of the timber structure, installation of a new clock face, and refurbishment of the historic clock mechanism by specialist clockmakers Smith of Derby.

"I guarantee that you'll be blown away by the look and feel of the place... This iconic building has truly been transformed into a multipurpose community hub which both celebrates our history and embraces our future."

– Stephen Kinnock, MP, Aberafan Maesteg

A catalyst for community life

The restoration has transformed Maesteg Town Hall into a cultural and community hub that serves a far broader audience than its original function allowed. While retaining its role as a performance venue, the project has introduced new facilities that support learning, social interaction and cultural participation throughout the day and evening.

The former market hall has been converted into a new community hub incorporating a public library, heritage centre, café and meeting spaces, extending the building’s use and relevance to contemporary needs.

New facilities include:

A fully restored 550-seat auditorium

A new studio theatre

Y Bocs Oren, a 54-seat cinema

A public library and heritage centre

Meeting spaces, café and mezzanine bar

Enhanced performer and visitor facilities

The increased capacity and improved facilities have strengthened demand for local services and reinforced the building’s role as a symbol of Maesteg’s identity. Access to theatre, the arts and community learning has been expanded, bringing wider benefits for social inclusion, community cohesion and educational attainment.

Balancing heritage and contemporary needs

A key challenge was adapting a Grade II-listed building to meet the expectations of modern audiences while respecting its historic character. The design addresses this through a series of interventions that improve accessibility, functionality and visitor experience without compromising the significance of the original building.

At the heart of the scheme is a new triple-height glazed foyer that preserves views of the hall’s decorative façades while creating a welcoming public entrance. Housing the café, bar and box office, the foyer acts as a social and civic gathering space, drawing visitors into the building from the street.

A feature staircase and lift improve access throughout the building, connecting the library and community hub at ground floor level, the restored concert hall above, and accessible facilities below.

Projecting from the building at first-floor level, the new studio theatre is clad in coloured polycarbonate panels. Designed to complement the existing brick and terracotta architecture, the reflective façade captures the surrounding streetscape while remaining secondary to the historic building.

Accessibility for all

Improving accessibility was a key objective throughout the project.

The new entrance sequence, passenger lift, Changing Places facility and accessible performer changing rooms ensure that visitors, audiences and performers can access and enjoy the building more easily.

The result is a more inclusive and welcoming destination, designed to meet the needs of contemporary users while respecting the historic fabric.

Craft and conservation

The project’s sustainability strategy focused on both environmental performance and long-term viability.

New building services include:

Low-energy LED lighting with automatic controls

Heat recovery ventilation systems

Low Nitrous Oxide condensing boilers

Thermostatically controlled underfloor heating

Water-saving sanitary fittings

Advanced energy monitoring systems

Alongside these improvements, the expanded offer has strengthened the building’s operational sustainability by increasing visitor numbers, activity and revenue.

A landmark reimagined

The completed project demonstrates how heritage buildings can support regeneration, creativity and community life. By combining sensitive conservation with contemporary facilities, the Town Hall has been restored as a civic landmark while gaining new spaces for culture, learning and social connection.

Early evidence points to a significant community impact. Library membership has increased by 234%, book loans have risen by 21%, and the building is attracting new audiences, including families, young people and local schools. Increased footfall and revenue are helping secure a sustainable future for the building, demonstrating the lasting social, cultural and economic value of investment in historic places.

Originally built in 1881, the Town Hall now combines its restored historic character with a glazed atrium, library and heritage centre, studio theatre, cinema, café and mezzanine bar, ensuring it continues to serve the people of Maesteg for generations to come.