THE change in ownership of the historic Market Cinema in Blaenau Gwent has been completed.

The Market Hall Cinema and Arts Trust has been running Wales’ oldest cinema since its reopening in 2013, and now an agreement has been reached with the council to formally hand over ownership of the cinema and the former library building.

The decision was accepted by the Trust on March 13, and approved by the Council’s Executive Committee on Wednesday, March 27.

Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, Cllr Nigel Daniels said: “The council, its leadership and local ward members have been supportive of the cinema, and committed to securing a sustainable future for this important and much-loved facility, an ambition that is shared by the Trust.

“It has been a true partnership approach from the Council and the Trustees to reach this agreement, and both parties are committed to bring about the transfer of this iconic building.

“The Council’s regeneration team and the Trust will work together going forward to look at grant opportunities to further develop the cinema, including funding a new projector.”

The Market Hall Cinema and Arts Trust said: “The trust acknowledges that the past year has shown how both parties can work together to ensure a bright and successful future for the Market Hall Cinema.”

The change in ownership was a long time in the making, with the Trust saying in January 2018 that they were still waiting for it to go through - four and a half years after taking over the running of the cinema.

At the time, a spokesman for Blaenau Gwent council replied: “a community asset transfer is being considered in line with the council’s policy.”

The relationship between the Trust and the council had soured over the six-month closure of the cinema in November 2016 after the council gave a warning about a potentially asbestos-contaminated roof space.

Due to the warning and sudden closure, it is claimed that the Trust lost around £100,000 in funds during this period.

At the time, a council spokesman said: “The council’s priority is public safety and with this in mind a Prohibition Notice was served on the cinema by the council’s Public Protection Service in November 2016 as the result of the potential release of asbestos fibres following internal works which had been carried out by the trust within the cinema and former library building.”

In April last year, Blaenau Gwent council’s Executive agreed to support a request for a community asset transfer, however the Trust rejected the proposal.