WORK is under way just six months after Cwmbran’s Congress Theatre reached its target of £100,000 for the refurbishment of the building.

At the launch of the appeal in August 2013, the theatre’s manager, Martyn Redwood, explained that £100,000 was required to refurbish the building, which was built in 1972.

The theatre’s 78 volunteers embarked on the fundraising challenge hosting bucket collections, a walk, bric a brac sales and a raffle- and the sum was reached in July last year.

Mr Redwood said that since then it has been a hive of activity, with the foyer, toilets and lounge works nearly finished.

He said: “There are still coats of paint going on, but things are definitely happening and it is looking great.”

But Mr Redwood explained that the most expensive part of the refurbishment of the new seating, which will cost £67,600, is still not scheduled to take place.

Mr Redwood explained that it will take around two and a half weeks for the works to be complete, and so far there hasn’t been space in their busy diary, so the work is likely to be delayed until August.

The auditorium consists of 312 seats where 134 seats are capable of being pushed back, which takes two men half an hour to do, but the new seating would mechanically move into place making the space easier to access.

The Foyer has had new lighting, decoration, carpet, seating and a display stand; the toilet has had new cubicles, windows, flooring, lighting and hand dryers; while new carpet, lighting, tables, chairs and decoration has been place in the lounge and bar.

In total the theatre’s volunteers raised £11,000 independently, and there was successful bids of £50,000 from the Arts Council of Wales, £50,000 from the Community Economic Development Programme and £10,000 from the Cwmbran Trust.

The Congress Theatre was built in 1972 and its regular stage groups include the Cwmbran Woodland Players and the Congress Youth Theatre, as well as numerous dance schools.

It was originally built as a conference centre, but it soon evolved into a central entertainment attraction.

It prospered until the mid-80s, when local government cutbacks began to take their toll, resulting in a reduction of staff, difficulties with budget control and maintaining an affordable programme.

The culmination of this was the withdrawal of support by the local council, just 23 years after opening.

But it was saved by the community, when a trust took control in 1992 to run the theatre for local community groups.

Today, its main source of income is through hire of the theatre, by both amateur and professional organisations and for private functions.