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Venue Cymru is a large arts venue in Llandudno, incorporating a 1,500 seat theatre, restaurant, conference centre and arena. The venue was previously known as the North Wales Theatre and the North Wales Conference Centre.
In July 2005 a £10.7 million project began to enhance and re-develop the facilities at the North Wales Theatre and Conference Centre. Where the Arcadia once stood, to the East of the complex, a new conference atrium and suite of meeting and conference rooms was built including a new 1,550 square metre Arena providing space for 1,800 seats theatre style or more than 2,500 people standing. The total capacity of the conference centre rose dramatically to over 5,000 delegates.
To the west of the existing building another new extension was added providing a café bar, restaurant, office space and improved box office facilities. The enhancement was funded by Conwy County Borough Council and its funding partners. The largest contribution came from the European Union’s Objective One Fund Programme, with further significant grants coming from the Arts Council of Wales (£1million lottery funding), Visit Wales (now part of the Welsh Assembly Government), the Welsh Development Agency (also part of the Welsh Assembly) and the Local Regeneration Fund.
The North Wales Theatre, Conference Centre and Arena required a new, shorter and bilingual (Welsh/English) name. In December 2005 a competition was launched in a local newspaper to rename the complex. Almost 300 entries were received and the winning entry Venue Cymru (Cymru is Welsh for Wales) was chosen a few months later. Venue Cymru was officially opened on Monday January 15th 2007 by Andrew Davies AM and has been described as the beginning of a new era for Entertainment, Conferencing and Events in Llandudno. Theatrical entertainments include drama, ballet, opera, ice shows, orchestral concerts, brass and military bands, musical comedy and pantomime.
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