£4.5m Wrexham People's Market arts centre plans backed

Plans to put an arts centre in Wrexham's indoor market have been approved in principle by councillors.

The proposals for the People's Market were given the green light by a council scrutiny committee but still need the council's executive board approval.

The council said the arts centre would be twice the size of the former Oriel gallery, which was in the library.

But Plaid Cymru's Carrie Harper said there were doubts over cost, funding of the project and the location.

"There is a need for an arts centre in the town and the examples we've seen of voluntary grassroots hubs such as Undegun and Galeri 3B in empty shops have been a welcome boost for the town's cultural life," she said.

Artist's impression of the revamped People's Market

"But doubts remain as to whether spending more than £4m on converting parts of the People's Market and adjoining car park into an arts hub is the best way forward."

Councillor Neil Rogers, lead member for economic development and regeneration, said in December the plans were part of a "wider strategy to support the regeneration of the town centre".

The project would be funded by the Welsh government, Arts Council of Wale and Wrexham Council.