Aberystwyth is unlikely to host an event on the Welsh Subbuteo Championship Circuit after town councillors heard that the building bought with £360,000 of taxpayers’ money five years ago remains off limits to the public.

Neuadd Gwenfrewi, formerly known as St Winefride’s church, was purchased in early 2021 by Aberystwyth Town Council with the intention of transforming it into their base and a community hub.

The building on Queens Road, bought for £360,000, is the first building to be owned by the town council since 1974.

While Aberystwyth Town Council has refurbished the former church’s presbytery to provide its offices and meeting spaces, it is yet to be made ready to welcome the public as a community hub.

Responding to a request to “consider the use of Neuadd Gwenfrewi to hold Welsh Subbuteo Championship circuit”, town councillors heard at a General Management Committee meeting on 9 March that major work was still needed to the building to welcome the public.

The town council clerk advised councillors against allowing public use “due to the condition of the building”, saying that the building still had no toilets, was not accessible, there are no fire safety measures in place, the electrics had not yet been tested and certified, there was “structural instability to the north transept” and “significant water ingress between the church and entrance porch.”

The clerk told members that “in light of the building’s condition, insurance would likely not cover public use.”

The meeting heard that the council “had purchased the hall for community benefit” but that “progress was needed to bring it into use.”

Councillors agreed to further meetings to progress work on the building.

The town council had initially hoped to re-open the building to the public last year, but much work remains before the community hub can be opened.