Winning name of Wrexham’s multi-million pound arts and markets hub unveiled next week!

The ‘exciting’ name of Wrexham’s new arts and markets development has been decided… However Wrexhamites will have to wait a few more days to find out what it is.

The chosen name – which will either be Oriel M, Cartref and Tŷ Pawb – will be announced by councillors at next Tuesday’s Executive Board meeting.

Up until now the £4.5 million development has been known as the OW People’s Market or the ‘Arts Hub’ locally. However in May 2017 a meeting with “external stakeholders” involved with the project took place, resulting in the shortlist of the three possible names for the site.

Details of the reasons for the rebrand are provided in next week’s report, which state: “During the design and build phase of the OW People’s Market consideration has been given to the naming and associated branding of the new Arts and Market centre at completion.

“As work progressed on signage, consultation with stakeholders concluded that the name OW People’s Market should be replaced with a name that gives a new vision and represents the combined nature of the new development more effectively.”

It later adds: “Key to this process has been ensuring that the final name was one that emanated from the stakeholder event and that it was one that represented the Welsh identity of the project.”

The names were unveiled at a public information event about the development back in July 2017, with lead member for communities, partnerships, public protection and community safety, Cllr Hugh Jones saying he was ‘pleased’ the three names were Welsh.

The proposal for the naming of OW People’s Market also includes an accompanying strapline, which will be applied to any of the 3 shortlisted names. The strapline is “Marchnadoedd. Celfyddydau. Cymuned” / “Markets. Arts. Community”

Cllr Jones told us that ‘896 people from Wrexham’* cast their vote for their favourite name, however he was remaining tight-lipped on the winner until next week’s meeting, where it will be announced ‘with a roll of drums but no lion tamers’.

Speaking of the launch date of April 2nd 2018, Dydd Llun Pawb (Everybody’s Monday), Cllr Jones referred to the late 1800’s event in Wrexham that had Venetian gondolas, lions (thankfully accompanied by lion tamers) and underwater tanks with escapologists. Sadly Cllr Jones said couldn’t “promise any of that” but did say ‘What I am promising is this will be an exciting new project’.

The business plan does state a budget of £30,000 for the ‘launch event’, although there is no hint on what that will entail.

The £4.5 million development is due to be completed in 2018 and is supported by funding from the Arts Council for Wales, the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and viable Places and Wrexham Council.

As part of next week’s Executive Board report councillors will also debate a u-turn which would see Wrexham Council manage the new development instead of handing it over to a Trust.

The name will be announced at the Executive Board meeting at 10am on Tuesday 12th September. The grand unveiling will also be webcast live on the Wrexham Council website, possibly with a drum roll!

(The report notes 897!)