Disused Llandrindod Wells nightclub transformed into foodbank and advice center

The council has awarded £146,000 towards the cost of the second phase of construction work to renovate the Oasis site behind the Commodore Hotel, on Spa Road, previously known as The Venue and V Nightclub and Bar.

The funding was provided in the form of a placemaking grant from Welsh Government, as part of its Transforming Towns program, and was used to help create office space for use by the food bank and its partners , a reception area for meetings and gatherings, a counseling center with private meeting rooms, a kitchen for preparing hot meals and snacks and for hosting cooking classes and an accessible entrance, new doors and windows .

This complements previous work on the site, which was also supported by the council as part of the Welsh Government’s Transformation of Cities program and created a food storage and distribution area, toilets and showers for people who sleep rough and a laundry room for washing clothes and bedding.

The National Lottery Community Fund, the Trussell Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Benefact Trust also provided grants to the food bank.

Llandrindod Foodbank covers a large area of ​​central Powys and, as well as distributing food parcels from its home on Spa Road, it has satellite sites at Builth Wells Community Support Office and the Llanwrtyd Wells Institute: https: //llandrindod.foodbank.org.uk/

It moved to the Oasis building in December 2021, after being purchased for the benefit of the charity by two local benefactors who wish to remain anonymous.

Llandrindod Foodbank distributed 1,151 food parcels between April 1 and September 30 this year, including 379 to help feed children aged 16 and under. The total number of food parcels was 153 more than the same period last year.

“Together with our partner agencies, we serve a total area of ​​500 square miles, and this facility is accessible to anyone who needs it,” said Tessa Bradley, project manager of the Food Bank and Counseling Center of Llandrindod. “By providing access to advice on financial matters, budgeting, benefits, employment and housing, etc., we anticipate that more people will once again be able to contribute to the city’s economic growth and its surroundings.

“We also hope to see a reduction in the number of people using the food bank over time. »

The Transforming Towns program in Mid Wales is supported by the economic development and regeneration teams at Powys and Ceredigion County Councils.

Councilor David Selby, Powys County Council cabinet member for a more prosperous Powys, said: “It’s great to see Llandrindod Foodbank being able to expand the range of services it offers, with help for a placemaking grant, and I really hope they will. successfully used them to reduce the number of people needing their support over time.

“We aim to create a stronger, fairer and greener Powys and their incredible work is helping us achieve this.”

The Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns program aims to support the vibrancy of our town centres, develop green infrastructure, enable job creation and improve community facilities and access to services. Returning empty properties to beneficial use is a central pillar of the program, and Mid Wales has been allocated £7 million since 2022 to deliver city center regeneration projects.

The Placemaking Grant is designed to be flexible and distributed through local authorities, to support smaller scale interventions (up to £250,000 grant) that help improve town centres.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant said: “It’s wonderful to see how our Towns Transformation programme, and in particular the Placemaking grant, has helped transform this disused building in Llandrindod Wells and bring it back to a beneficial use for the local population. community.

“Our investment in Mid Wales supports the economic and social resilience of town centres, creates employment and volunteering opportunities and improves community facilities and access to services.

JA Morgan Construction, Llandrindod Wells, carried out both phases of the Llandrindod Foodbank construction works.

The need to expand foodbank provision in Llandrindod Wells has been highlighted by a council investment plan.