A £22 MILLION restoration of Aberystwyth University’s Old College has moved a step closer after more than £10m of lottery cash was pledged to the project.

The birthplace of university education in Wales, the Grade I-listed Old College will be renovated in time for Aberystwyth university’s 150th anniversary in 2022.

The university has made the renovation of the building, opened in 1872, a priority.

John Glen MP, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, today visited Aberystwyth to make the announcement of the £10,581,800 pledged funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The university has initially been granted development funding of £849,500 by the HLF to progress the project, with the rest of the cash available at stage two as plans for the renovation are solidified.

Mr Glen said: “Aberystwyth Old College is a treasured local building that is recognised as one of the UK’s most significant pieces of Gothic revival architecture. 

“This fantastic scheme is so much more than a restoration project.”

Baroness Kay Andrews, UK trustee and chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, said: “These exciting plans to breathe new life into one of Wales’s best loved historic buildings provide a significant and timely boost for the culture and economy of Aberystwyth and well beyond.

“Like many Aberystwyth graduates, I have fond memories of Old College.

“Now, for the first time, this unique building – the signature of Aberystwyth – will be open for the whole community to enjoy and profit from, including visitors to west Wales. This is great news for Aberystwyth and for Wales as a whole.”

Plans for the building include use as a performance and gallery space for artists, exhibitions and musicians; a centre for entrepreneurs and new businesses; as well as café and community rooms.

It will also house a university museum and a new science centre.

Prof Elizabeth Treasure, vice-chancellor of Aberystwyth University, said: “Our hope now is that Old College will become a showcase for the excellent research, teaching and treasures of Aberystwyth University, while providing vibrant new facilities for visitors and the local community who are key partners in this venture.”

Gwerfyl Pierce Jones, chair of the Old College Project Board, added: “Aberystwyth University is grateful to all those who have contributed to our plans and our success in securing this initial funding from the HLF.

“We will continue to develop plans in partnership with the community and our aim is to keep Old College open for as much as possible during the transformation.”

Aberystwyth University said that as well as “creating new jobs, apprenticeships, work placements, training and volunteer opportunities”, “the revitalised Old College will also encourage graduates from the university to stay within the town and establish new businesses”.

The total cost of the redevelopment is expected to be around £22m.

The university is “planning other sources of financing for the project”, which is set to include a “major fundraising appeal.”