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The Muni Arts Centre is now in the hands of receivers after it was announced that the venue was to close.

A spokesman for RCT council said the board that ran the much-loved arts centre did not surrender the lease of the building back to the council before entering into liquidation.

The council now say it is working with the receivers to try to regain control of the building so it can reopen the Muni "as soon as possible"

RCT Council Leader Andrew Morgan said he wants to support interested groups to ensure the Muni Arts Centre re-opens its doors as an artist entertainment venue.

Councillor Morgan said: “Since the news was received just before Christmas, that the Muni Arts Centre was due to close, a number of groups have already been in contact to express their interest, in taking a lead to ensure the Muni Arts Centre has a future as an Artistic Entertainment venue.

“The council is keen to work with these groups to ensure the Muni re-opens its doors as soon as practicably possible.

“The facility is now in the hands of receivers and the Council will enter into discussions with the administrators, to ensure the lease tenure of the building returns to the Council.

"The Muni Arts Centre, as a private limited company, did not surrender the lease of the building back to the council, before entering into liquidation.

“Once the council becomes responsible for the building, we are keen to ensure that interest is received from widest spectrum of parties, to ensure the best possible opportunity for the Muni to develop and flourish into the future is taken forward and supported."

The council says it has been actively monitoring the situation at the Muni Arts Centre following a request by the Muni Arts Centre to provide financial assistance in November 2018.

(Image: RCT Council)

Then council officers assisted the company in examining their financial situation and the council also provided some short term relief in late November 2018 to ensure that the facility remained viable whilst the council could ascertain more information.

A meeting was held on November 29 to discuss the situation and determine the extent of the support that the company required.

Unfortunately, based on the information received, the council says it was clear it would not be able to provide any further financial support.

However, Councillor Morgan now said he recognises further financial assistance may be necessary to support the venue.

“As a council we recognise that to provide the best opportunity for interest groups to develop a viable business plan for the Muni, continued financial support may be necessary. The council will consider how it may be able to support viable business cases for the venue.

“It was positive to know that Pontypridd Town Council will also consider how it can support the development of a viable business model with interested groups.

“As a council we recognise the significant public support for the Muni as an Arts venue and we are therefore undertaking everything practicably possible, within the financial restrains we face at this current time, to support a viable and sustainable future for the facility.

"We want to see the venue open as soon as possible.

“The meeting held last week was productive and progress will now depend on the discussions being taken forward with administrators.”

In a statement posted on the Muni Arts Centre's Facebook page last month the venue said has been “dogged by financial problems.”

The statement added it had been in difficulties since a community asset transfer from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council three years ago.

With debts increasing the company that ran the centre took the “very difficult decision” to shut the venue with the Muni doors closing on Saturday, December 22 at 2.30pm.

Staff were told they were to be made redundant at the same time.

Bethan Evans, insolvency partner based at the Cardiff office of accountancy firm, Menzies LLP, who are handling the Muni case said: “The trustees of Muni Arts Centre are currently preparing notices to be issued to creditors, prior to placing the charity into liquidation by the end of the month.

“Pending an official appointment as liquidators, Menzies LLP is proactively contacting all former employees this week to assist them in claiming any money they are owed, including claims for statutory redundancy pay, as quickly as possible.”

Former employees of Muni Arts Centre can seek advice by contacting Bethan Evans, at Menzies LLP, on 02920 447 512 or email bevans@menzies.co.uk