Galeri Caernarfon Cyf

Description & History

Galeri Caernarfon Cyf is an independent and private company, which is limited by guarantee. The Trust was established in 1992 (under its previous name of Cwmni Tref Caernarfon) to develop social, economic and environmental projects for the benefit of the historic community of Caernarfon and its environs, by the current Chief Executive Gwyn Roberts in partnership with a variety of private businesses and community groups and the local authority.

Cwmni Tref Caernarfon had a clear social enterprise vision from the outset and to date has bought and renovated over 28 neglected and vacant properties in the town, which are now occupied by 45 tenants, including shops, offices, flats, two cafes, a music training centre and a pub.

Location and Area of Benefit

Caernarfon town centre and 5 former slate mining valleys (Ogwen, Peris, Nantlle, Ffestiniog and Corris) in North West Wales.

Main services, Enterprises and Activities

Property
The company currently own and manage 20 refurbished properties in Caernarfon which house 44 tenanted units. The rents generated from these formerly vacant and neglected properties is the company’s main single source of revenue.

The Trust also runs POSIB – a training and consultancy branch. We can offer specific training and guidance in property development, management / maintenance and/or project management. Over the years we have been working with several clients including the Welsh Government, Cyngor Gwynedd, Neuadd Ogwen and Antur Waunfawr.

In early 2000, the trust tendered for, and won, a contract to purchase and renovate properties in the former slate mining valleys of Ogwen, Peris, Nantlle, Ffestiniog and Corris. This new company, known as Cwmni Adwy Cyf, is one of six projects which constitute the Slate Valleys Initiative. This relationship lasted until the 2013 disestablishment of Cwmni Adwy in 2013.

Galeri also run several projects such as SBARC! an arts project which has been in existance since 1999. This initiative involves running drama, dance and rock music classes in Caernarfon for a whole range of younger age groups. In part this community arts project was a successful precursor to the development of the ‘Galeri Creative Enterprise Centre’ which opened in 2005.

The Galeri Creative Centre Enterprise centre opened in March 2005. It houses a theatre/cinema with seating for 400 people, a café/bar, art space, two main rehearsal spaces and two smaller studios, conference facilities and room hire and 24 enterprise units, which house companies who are engaged in artistic or creative work. Galeri is currently undergoing a £3.5m expansion project to provide two new cinema spaces and other ancillary uses.

Galeri has won numerous UK and Welsh design, enterprise, arts and environment awards for its work and for the Galeri building itself.

Emerging & Proposed Future Developments

Galeri are currently working with Caernarfon Harbour Trust to redevelop a group of historic buildings by Caernarfon Castle which will house 19 artisan units. Building work is expected to commence in 2018 and to be completed by 2020.

Galeri was featured in this video by our sister organisation Locality.