Resort's £10m project opposed by thousands because of one thing

■CGI images of a revamped Venue Cymru in Llandudno and (far right) how it looks now

- By OWEN HUGHES Chief Reporter [e-mail]

NEW visuals show the potential of a £10m Llandudno redevelopment - being funded by the UK Government.

On the face of it this is a major opportunity to rejuvenate the Venue Cymru arts centre, and in turn boost the key tourism resort.

But one element of the master-plan has seen protests on the street, a well-backed petition and angry letters of objection. This all relates to the proposal to relocate the town's library from Mostyn Street in the centre of the resort to the revamped centre on the promenade at Craig-y-Don.

The main concern is the loss of footfall from the high street, which has already lost the flagship M&S store to Parc Llandudno in recent years.

A report for Conwy council - who own Venue Cymru and are behind the revamp plan - says that in 2024/25 the footfall at Llandudno library was 88,611. It also estimated a reduction in spend in Mostyn Street of £362,000 if the library were to move.

On the flipside it predicts an increased spend in Craig y Don and at the retail parks of £284,000. The anticipated increase in footfall at Venue Cymru as a result of this project will see the economic impact to the area increase, which the report estimates will be worth £391,000 to North Wales, with £337,000 of that to Conwy county.