Concerns Raised Over Possible Sale of Llandudno Town Hall and Market Street Car Park

Concerns have been raised by residents in Llandudno over the possible sale of Llandudno Town Hall to a community interest company (CIC), with suggestions that the proposal could also include the nearby Market Street car park.

The car park is understood to generate approximately £200,000 a year in revenue for Conwy County Borough Council, prompting questions about the potential financial impact should the asset be disposed of.

Llandudno Town Hall is a Victorian building constructed in 1899 and gifted to the town by Lord Mostyn. It served as the headquarters of the former urban district council for much of the 20th century and is now home to the Llandudno Town Council Chamber, the registrar’s office and other community uses.

Residents have expressed concern that there has been no open or transparent public discussion about the future of the building. Claims have also circulated that the leader of Reform UK on Conwy County Borough Council, Louise Emery, may be involved in or supportive of the proposed handover, something that has added to local frustration.

At the most recent meeting of the Local Area Forum North, Harry Saville raised the issue publicly. He said:

“It was shared with members that the council was working with Reform UK councillors on a proposal to dispose of both Llandudno Town Hall and Market Street car park to an organisation linked to Mostyn Estates.”

He continued:

“Now part of this proposal was that the package would see both assets disposed of, either free of charge or potentially with the interested stakeholder being paid to take them off the council’s hands. We were also advised that this car park generates around £200,000 per year in revenue, which, I think, based on the figures you’ve given us, is around 10% of that income stream.”

However, when questioned on the matter, the council’s Cabinet member Mike Priestley denied having any knowledge of such a proposal.

Following that response, Cllr Saville added:

“So what I would like to understand is, if that car park is disposed of, what services will ERF be cutting to make up that £200,000 shortfall, and do we think it is appropriate when this council is looking at another significant council tax increase and significant budget cuts to be disposing of a £200,000-a-year asset to one of the wealthiest landowners in the UK?”

The issue has also been raised at a national political level. Janet Finch-Saunders, Welsh Conservative Senedd Member for Aberconwy and Lead Senedd Candidate for Bangor, Conwy and Môn, said:

“As a previous mayor of this town, following in the steps of my late parents who were also mayors of the town, I am extremely shocked to learn that Cllr Louise Emery is allegedly supporting this move in a political manner.

“This building is of immense historical value to our town and is a building with great public interest. Over the years we have sadly seen too many of our historical assets that have disappeared, often to the benefit of others, yet detrimental to our town.”

She added:

“One only has to look at the loss of the Gogarth Abbey Hotel on the West Shore, that was demolished over 20 years ago yet still remains a vacant building site.”

Calling for public involvement, Janet Finch-Saunders MS continued:

“It is now up to us as residents of this beautiful town to stand side by side and say, ‘enough is enough’.”

“I will be raising some serious questions on how a decision of this importance will be consulted on with residents. After all, it is they who have faced nearly 30% council tax increases over the last 3 years with more to come in April. It is important that they have a say on this matter and I will be challenging the democratic processes at Llandudno Town Council, Conwy County Borough Council and the Welsh Government if needed.”

At the time of writing, no formal proposal for the sale or transfer of Llandudno Town Hall or Market Street car park has been publicly confirmed, and no consultation process has been announced.