A FORMER chapel in Abergavenny has been given a new lease of life as an art shop and gallery thanks to help from Monmouthshire County Council and the Welsh Government. The project has created six new full-time jobs.
The Grade II-listed Bethany Baptist Chapel in Market Street has had a number of uses since it ceased to be a place of worship twenty five years ago, most recently as a site office for the county council’s Brewery Yard redevelopment. Since then, the building has received funding of over £50,000 towards its restoration from Monmouthshire County Council through its Brewery Yard Property Enhancement Grant as well as a similar amount from a Welsh Government Historic Buildings grant.
Owner Pauline Griffiths who also owns The Art Shop in Cross Street said: “The grants from the Welsh Government’s historic environment service Cadw and Monmouthshire County Council helped us immensely to renovate the chapel. The renovated chapel will enable us to expand considerably all that we do at The Art Shop premises.”
Monmouthshire County Council’s Chief Executive Paul Matthews added: “In addition to bringing to life a well-loved building we’re very pleased to see these premises opening in Abergavenny with the creation of employment for residents and opportunities for local artists.”
