PLANS to open the doors at Cardigan’s Theatr Mwldan and show cinema screening have been shelved.

The Bathhouse Road venue has been shut like so many other entertainment venues since the start of the coronavirus pandemic back in March.

But chief executive Dilwyn Davies had hoped to reopen in some form before the end of the year after bringing back a number of staff following a successful application to the Cultural Recovery Fund through the Arts Council of Wales.

Mwldan has secured £228,000 for its running costs from November 2020 to March 2021 and £49,000 of capital investment to help it adapt to Covid-safe operation.

However, a statement from Theatr Mwldan said: “Until very recently we were intending to trial some cinema screenings over the Christmas period.

“However, the current local outbreak of CovidD-19, as well as the Government’s plans for stricter measures in the run up to Christmas, means that we will be unable to proceed with that plan.

“We will now not be able to open for any public operations until the new year, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Prior to the pandemic, Theatr Mwldan welcomed some 300,000 customers through its doors with over 90,000 ticket sales a year.

It employed 26 people but the pandemic has seen it have to shed 11 of those jobs.

Around 20 per cent of its income came from grants, with the other 80 per cent being earned as commercial income via a programme of touring productions, recorded material via its record label, and live, streamed and screened programme of events at Mwldan.

“Our work with Other Voices Cardigan and Cardigan Castle also attracted audiences from far and wide and contributed more widely to the economy of our local area,” said the statement.

“A large part of our income was generated from our touring and production work, which subsidised our activity locally.

“We have worked hard over the past 14 years to build different income streams for the organisation to make it more sustainable and ensure Mwldan exists in our community now and for generations to come.

“Covid-19 has had a drastic and immediate effect on all areas of our business.

“The Cultural Recovery Fund has bought us valuable time to plan for our future and make sure that when we can re-open fully, it will be even better than before.”

Necessary maintenance work will be carried out on the building, equipment and grounds, with work also starting to make the theatre Covid-safe ready for reopening.

Theatr Mwldan will also be speaking with artists, freelancers, volunteers, other companies and festivals to work together to imagine and shape the future for the creative industries.

It is also planning for the impact Brexit will have on it as a touring and producing company.

“Over the coming weeks we will be asking you what you think about a range of issues,” said the statement.

“That feedback will be really important for how we move forward, so please keep your eyes peeled and respond to that if you can.”