Residents in Aberporth are celebrating after their project to replace the ageing village hall has been awarded £450,000 by the National Lottery Community Fund.

The £1m Heart of the Community project will see the 1930s large hall demolished and rebuilt with a more flexible layout plus the 1950s brick built smaller “festival hall” refurbished with modern kitchen and toilet facilities installed. The hall will become a warm and welcoming community “hub” open longer hours, providing free wifi, a drop in centre, community fridge and many other social activities.

The new building will also see better access for people with disabilities and embrace the latest energy efficient lighting and heating systems.

The 16-strong village hall charity committee have spent the last two years putting the project together and are awaiting news on match-funding bids from the Welsh Government and Ceredigion County Council.

“This has been a fantastic boost for the village,” said village hall chairman Richard Jennings.

“There have been many attempts over the years to try and get a new hall, so to finally see our dreams realised is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of the committee. We are really grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting us.”

Work should start on demolishing the old hall later this year, with the committee hoping that the new hall will be open to the public by the spring of 2023.

Regular updates will be published on the hall’s website www.aberporthvillagehall.co.uk