Over 50 years ago* the livestock market moved to a new location south of the river and the sale of fresh produce on the upper floor had dwindled. The site was converted for use by a different type of trader.
Over the years, the building has been maintained by the local authority and is now in need of urgent repair and modernisation, particularly to improve access.
The Trust has carried out considerable development work since 2014 to identify precisely the defects and the building’s renovation needs.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) provided the means for the Trust to engage professional help to develop the plans. The project has subsequently accessed funds from various other sources, in particular the Welsh Government’s Rural Development Programme, funded by the European Union and the Welsh Government’s Building for the Future scheme, which also receives European support. Ceredigion County Council have also made a generous grant. And the AHF has continued to support the project with a loan.
In 2021 extensive structural work began and by March 2023 work on the hall itself could be started. Traditional features will be retained side-by-side with new features and improvements. Welsh slate will be used throughout on the new roof, underfloor central heating has been installed on the lower floor, which itself has been renovated re-using as many of the original slabs of Cilgerran slate as possible, the walls have been treated to prevent the ingress of water, the electrical system has been completely modernised and solar panels have been installed on the roof. The new hall will include heritage interpretation and there will be activities to celebrate its architectural and social history as a vibrant hub for local and wider communities.
Work on an access tower at the Hall including a lift, stairs and toilets with disabled facilities is running a little behind schedule but it is expected that it will be finished by the summer of 2023.
Ceredigion County Council has granted a 99-year lease on the market Hall to the Trust on generous terms.
So far the cost of the project has reached £3m.