Council Seeks Interest In Running Heritage Sites

Anglesey is looking for other organisations to run its heritage sites, which include a Victorian prison and Wales’ only working windmill. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Proposals are now being sought from town and community councils, social enterprises, businesses, trusts and organisations with the appropriate resources, expertise and experience needed to run: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Beaumaris Courthouse and Goal ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Melin Llynnon and Roundhouses, near Llanddeusant. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Last year, Anglesey’s Executive agreed to review and consult on the way the Council provides museum and cultural services as it continues to seek significant financial savings. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The process has begun with adverts now online and appearing in the local press shortly. The closing date for any proposals is June 3rd, 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Council is willing to consider various models to manage the facilities for their current use. It will also consider alternative/additional uses whilst protecting and preserving the special character, appearance, architectural and historic features of the Gaol, Courthouse and Llynnon (due to their listed status). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Head of Learning, Delyth Molyneux, explained, “The County Council is inviting proposals for the future management of three of the island’s heritage assets: Beaumaris Courthouse, Beaumaris Gaol and Melin Llynnon.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Due to the growing financial constraints facing us, we’re investigating new ways of working with partners to deliver an exciting, engaging visitor experience at these heritage sites and willing to consider various agreements. All proposals which address the long-term financial sustainability of the sites while providing vibrant, dynamic visitor offers will be considered carefully.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

She added, “Our main aim is to develop a new and sustainable business model, or models, to safeguard the future of these sites, and protect and preserve the Island’s culture and heritage.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The County Council will consult with Anglesey residents once a preferred way forward has been agreed and before any final decision regarding the future of these sites. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

All three sites are currently managed by the County Council’s Museums and Culture service. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​