CONWY County Borough Council has granted the lease for the Longmans Building at 7 Abergele Road to Ink. Gallery Ltd, an arts collective.

The Grade II-listed building was designed by the renowned local architect Sidney Colwyn Foulkes and had been vacant for a number of years, before funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government, was secured by Conwy County Borough Council to renovate the building.

Following completion of the work, the Council invited applications from bidders to lease the building, which Ink. Gallery Ltd won.

Cabinet Member Councillor Mike Priestley said: “Thanks to significant external funding for the restoration and refurbishment of this iconic historic building in Colwyn Bay, there’s now a space for a local company to innovate, collaborate and grow.

“I’m pleased to announce Ink. Gallery Ltd. as the new tenant and I wish them every success.”

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Ink. Gallery Ltd. is an Arts Collective start-up company, with plans for an art gallery and events at the premises.

Local Councillor Chris Hughes has taken a keen interest in the building’s fortunes over the years and added: “I'm delighted that Ink Gallery are to take on the former Longmans building and wish them every success for the future, it's an outstanding building.

“As a child I remember visiting the building when it was Dando's Department Store it was a beautiful building with some very special features and will make a fantastic venue for the Ink Gallery.”

Funding for the renovation was received from Welsh Government, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), backed by Conwy County Borough Council.

Conwy County Borough Council will retain freehold ownership of the building.