October 16, 2025 - 135 views
A local politician has criticised the decision to award £2m of public money to Venue Cumree, adding to previous investments already made.
Janet Finch-Saunders MS believes the Welsh and UK governments, along with Conwy County Borough Council, are overlooking other community projects in favour of the venue. She suggested using the funds for other projects.
This latest investment builds on over £500,000 already provided by Welsh Government Transforming Towns fund in 2024–25, and the £10m UK Government investment.
Commenting on the latest announcement of £2m, Janet Finch-Saunders MS said: “Pouring millions of tax payers money into Venue Cymru time and again shows how out of touch the Welsh Government, UK Government, and Conwy County Borough Council are with the needs of our communities.
“It is astonishing that even after over half a million of Transforming Towns money was invested last financial year, an even though around ten million from the UK Government is expected to be spent on the site also, that a further two million is being awarded from the Transforming Towns fund this year.
“There is absolutely no doubt that Venue Cymru is receiving far too much public money when there are other town centre projects that could benefit from investment, such as restoring sand on North Shore, creating coach parking bays in Llanrwst, supporting the Royal Cambrian Academy in Conwy, and making pay and display carparks free across Aberconwy.
“In fact, the Transforming Towns fund could even have been used to save Llandudno Library and stop the ridiculous scheme to move the centre to Venue Cymru.”
