Q and A’s

Who Will Run The Project?

ProMo Cymru – An established youth enterprise agency – www.promo-cymru.org – will use its existing staff to help set the project up. A business plan is being prepared to identify the staffing needs of the project in the short and longer term . The aim is to recruit a team of staff and volunteers to make the project a success. Jobs will be advertised locally. ProMo already employ Julian, living locally as an outreach worker. This will be built on in the future.

Why Cant Future Meetings Be Held in the Evenings?

No problem – the next meeting will take place after 6pm

What Days/Evenings Will the Building Be Open?

ProMo is embarking on this project with limited resources. Initially the building is likely to open for part of the week (evenings and weekends) – over time the aspiration is for the rehearsal, recording, meetings rooms, workshop/training/hotdesking space to be open day times and evenings Monday to Sunday.

What About parking?

Attempts will be made to develop extra parking on the site (for a few disabled spaces) and to explore options with the local authority to develop other sites for additional car parking. The point was made that the area generally has parking challenges – no one project is going to solve this.

How Will Existing Services Be Used In The Building

The Institute has god arts/crafts studio space (e.g. Pottery studio). The aim will be to bring this back into use over time if viable partners can be found.

Why Don’t the Local Authority Give The Institute To ProMo Cymru Rent Free For 2 or 3 Years?

EVI has negotiated a 1 year lease and agreed a rent free period to get into the building. This will enable a programme of activity to be established – along with a track record. This will form the basis of discussions with the local authority to agree a long lease and/or option to purchase. The option to have long term use of the building will be essential to enable ProMo to have collaborations with partners and funders.

ProMo is enjoying a very positive working relationship with the council.

Will Groups (eg Rock School) Have To Pay To Use The Building?

Someone has got to cover the costs to keep the building open, maintained etc. There will be discussions with partner organisations on what arrangements are possible. What is clear is that the Institute is a substantial undertaking and a robust business plan – with clear income streams – is essential to guarantee short, medium and long term success. This will mean balancing commercial and social priorities.

Will There Be Duplication With Other Organisations – Eg Recording Studios?

Other studios do exist in the area. Demand is high – in particular for access to studios and rehearsal space that will give young people the chance to learn skills that may help them get employment in the music industry. Options to collaborate with existing studios will be explored. The experience of working with musicians is that more facilities are needed. The feeling from people living in the Church Street area is that more services are needed to meet local needs.

When Will the Institute Open?

Hopefully April/May – Building work is needed to improve toilet area and to set up rehearsal space//recording studios. This needs Listed Building Consent from CADW which may take 6/8 weeks. The plan is to open the building with a high profile event to announce its arrival.

Other Points Raised During the Meeting

Positives

General agreement that it is positive that a plan to bring the building back into use is happening. The longer the building is empty the greater the risk of vandalism/neglect.

Concerns

Long term funding – how is this going to be achieved?
Space for Hire – The rates need to be within the bounds of commercial viability. Is this going to be realistic?
Consultations with the community in the future – should be evenings in future to encourage greater attendance Cafe – What effect will it have on other cafes in the area?

Suggestions

• Arts Studios for Hire: Equipped with Easels should be offered to artists at affordable rates
• Photography Studio: The dark room should be revived with equipment and hired out.
• Must Market the building and facilities
• Explore sports facilities for young people
• Welsh Language activities
• Explore Artist in Residence possibilities

Advisory Group

It was agreed that a group to advise on the future direction of the project would be a good thing – and interest to join was received from:
Rob James – Ebbw Fach Development Trust, Rev – G Waggett, Annette Jones, Alan Jones – 1st Ebbw Vale Scout Group, Vic Coughtrey, Vic Doyle and Anni Wilton Jones.

Further project updates will be recorded on this blog.