Frank Vickery's says Muni arts centre closure 'awful decision'

Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd was converted from a church and is a listed building

A production by playwright Frank Vickery was the final one staged at the Muni arts centre in Pontypridd which closed on Saturday.

The centre was converted into an arts centre in the 1980s.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council announced its closure in May as part of measures to save £70m over four years.

The authority said then there was "no easy solution in these tough financial circumstances".

Mr Vickery who called the closure an "awful decision" gave a speech as the curtain fell for the last time.

He said he understood that there were two companies interested in taking over the Muni which was to be sold by the council, but it definitely would not be reopening as an art centre.

"I've been staging productions there for 21 years - and have put on 44 there in total," said Mr Vickery.

He said it was not just a performance centre, but one used by the whole community of Pontypridd, including for holding weddings.