THE HISTORIC Stiwt Theatre has been given a boost ahead of its centenary after Wrexham Council agreed to extend its support funding for the next three years.
Its last package of support funding ended in March and was supposed to be the final time the council provided the Stiwt with grant funding.
But councillors on Wrexham’s executive board have unanimously supported a plan to provide the Stiwt Arts Trust with a further grant of £30,433 per year until March 31, 2028 – citing the Stiwt’s importance to the borough’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.
The trust, which has 15 years left on its lease, is currently working on plans to mark the 100th anniversary of the 490-seat Grade II listed theatre in Rhosllanerchgrugog in 2026.
Originally funded through a £20,000 grant from the Miners Welfare Association, the Stiwt closed down in 1977. A campaign to restore it saw the theater reopen in 1999 as a community arts hub and performance venue, thanks to the hard work of volunteers from the trust and support from a number of key organisations including the Heritage Lottery Fund and CADW.
Wrexham Council has in recent years provided funding to support the Stiwt, as has Rhos Community Council and the Arts Council for Wales. The new deal agreed by executive board on Tuesday extends the support Wrexham County Borough Council has provided since 2018 at the same level.
The Stiwt Arts Trust will now be able to apply for additional support grants to bridge a financial gap just over £47,000 – rising to over £50,000 by 2028. It will also be able to seek further support for essential building maintenance work.
“This brings a period of stability and certainty to the Stiwt,” said Rossett Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Strategic Planning and Public Protection.
“The Stiwt plays an important part in the life, language and welsh culture of Wrexham and is an important part of our bid for City of Culture 2029.
“It also plays an important part in the community of Rhos and in the wider education of the county borough.
“Over the years the Stiwt Trust have reorganised and restructured, have secured additional funding and have maintained the building. It’s no small challenge to have a full repair lease on a Grade II listed building of that character.
“The report recognises the significant financial challenges facing the council, especially when the next two years are going to be extremely difficult. However we feel the Stiwt is an important building, an important asset and it has an important role to play in the life of Wrexham and therefore we believe it’s important to bring a period of stability to the Trust to enable them to continue their work.”
Cllr Paul Pemberton, who represents the Ponciau ward which includes the village of Rhos, thanked councillors for their support.
“I want to thank Andrew Harradine, Wrexham Council’s Regeneration and Business Investment lead, for his work with the Stiwt Trust to put this report together and all members of the executive board for supporting this,” he said.
“The Trust members are all volunteers and sometimes it is a thankless job but to get recognition and some stability for the next three years it will hopefully give us a lot longer with the Stiwt in the village. It’s part of the fabric of the community.”
