ONE of Brynmawr's most loved buildings, the Market Hall Cinema, is having a £220,000 facelift.

Blaenau Gwent Council put together an improvement package for the building and were successful in bidding for a grant of £180,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government to refurbish the outside of the building.

The remaining costs of £40,000 will be funded by the council. The news is a major boost for Brynmawr town centre and will enhance and improve a facility which serves the people of Blaenau Gwent and also surrounding boroughs.

Councillor Jason Owen, Executive Member for Leisure, said, "This is great news for the Market Hall Cinema and for the people of Brynmawr. We're pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government have recognised the significance of the cinema to local people and have agreed to provide £180,000 of funding towards its refurbishment."

Work on the project starts next week and contractors, Roalco Ltd, will be on site for approximately 14 weeks. The project is due for completion early in the New Year.

The council will be working closely with the contractors to make sure there is minimum disruption to town centre businesses and members of the public.

The Christmas switch-on event will take place on 29 November 2008, and the Council is liaising with Brynmawr Partnership to ensure the arrangements go ahead as planned.

Access to Brynmawr Library, museum and public toilets will be unaffected. For more information about the refurbishment of the Market Hall Cinema or any other Brynmawr town centre issue please contact Karin Lamb on 01495 355565 or 07968243128.