An ARTS centre has completed a feasibility study to remodel its business and redevelop the building’s facilities.

Wyeside Arts Centre in Builth Wells held its second public consultation last Monday (January 14) to show the public an update on its plans following its first consultation last year.

The public consultation included presentations with the project’s lead architect, Angus Morrogh-Ryan of De Matos Ryan, and fundraising consultant Emma Goad of Blue Canary.

The Grade II-listed building is home to two theatre auditoriums, live streaming broadcasts, a gallery, meeting spaces, a bar and cafe area as well as one of the oldest cinemas in the UK.

The proposed development would reinstate the original storefront arches and awnings as well as opening up the ground floor to better accommodate the foyer, box office and bar.

It would also open a new space above the Market Theatre, with wide views of the River Wye, which would be a flexible space with a bar for pop-up events, trade fairs, exhibitions and private events which could double up as a small performance space.

The feasibility study was funded by the Arts Council for Wales as well as the Welsh Government’s Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-20, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Jill Mustafa, the arts centre’s general manager, said: “We’ve just come to the end of our Wyeside Works feasibility study.

“It’s the business model and facilities we’re looking at and hoping to upgrade both. We’ve just got to look at our finances now.”

The feasibility study also puts forward the potential of creating a further cinema space – or ‘Third Space’ – by splitting the Castle Cinema into two small screen facilities.

The study also identified ways to improve external access to the site as well as access throughout the building along with improved catering and bar facilities and a new, more efficient heating system.

In order to bring it up to date and meet modern building standards, the development would also have improved toilets and dressing room facilities, including a new public disabled access toilet.

Ms Mustafa said the plan to upgrade Wyeside has been in the works for around 18 months and the feasibility study is just the start. She said: “There are lots of areas which need improving, so it’s just bringing those up to the right standard really.

“We’ve been drawing up the plans for the property, then we’ll take those to see what funding we need to cover those costs.

“After that we’ll start the planning application process.”

The first public consultation on Wednesday, September 19, which was attended by 87 people, was held around half way through the Wyeside Works plans being put together.

Ms Mustafa said: “We had a public consultation about half way though the designs being drawn up. We had good feedback and we’ve used that to help construct the plans which were on display at the meeting on Monday. It was good because it allowed people who attended the first meeting to see their ideas coming to fruition in the plans.”

The arts centre is manned by 13 part-time members of staff and 30 volunteers.

Ms Mustafa said: “We are all very much hoping that the plan will come to fruition.”

She also said they are hoping it will enable the arts centre to offer a more diverse programme.