Neath Port Talbot Council has decided to seek a new purpose for a local community centre situated in Pontardawe. The council recently received back the lease and operating agreement for the Cross Community Enterprise Centre in Pontardawe and agreed, at a meeting on August 7, to initiate the process of identifying a new use for the site. The responsibility for the premises has now been transferred to the council’s head of property and regeneration while a decision is being made.
Located at the junction of Herbert Street and High Street, the three-floor building has served as a community centre and office space for local businesses for many years. In 2015, the building was leased to an independent operator. However, by 2023, it became evident that the operator could no longer continue, leading to the surrender of the lease. Neath Port Talbot Council officers assisted the tenants in securing alternative accommodation. Due to health and safety concerns, the building has been closed, though all tenants have found new places to operate.
A report from the council highlighted that the costs to bring the building up to standard for its previous use could exceed £500,000. Concerns were raised by members of a scrutiny committee about the loss of a community meeting space in the town following the closure. This decision comes amidst efforts by residents to raise funds for another community facility in the area housed in the former Mamas Paradise nightclub, which is reportedly being put up for sale at auction for £250,000.
The centre’s closure has sparked discussions on preserving vital community spaces in the town. Neath Port Talbot residents are closely following developments concerning local community assets. The future of the Cross Community Enterprise Centre and other similar facilities remain topics of interest as the council works to determine their fate.