Pontypridd Market and Town Hall

Pontypridd Market and Town Hall stands on Market Street in Pontypridd, a town in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. The building consists of two linked structures, both Grade II listed. The first part was built in 1885 in the Mannerist style using rock-faced stone. The second part, added in 1890, is square and covered by a seven-bay roof. The complex once included a large auditorium seating about 1,700 people. The building’s history reflects Pontypridd’s growth in the 19th century. A group of local businessmen formed the Pontypridd Market and Town Hall Company in 1877, backed by an Act of Parliament. The market hall expanded over time, becoming the largest indoor market in Wales by 1987. Famous figures like Winston Churchill spoke in the town hall, and performers such as Sir Harry Secombe and Sir Geraint Evans appeared there. Inside, the former auditorium has rendered walls, a slate roof, and an Art Deco cornice. The stage features a raised proscenium arch and a large flytower. The market halls were once entered by iron bridges, though they are now surrounded by other buildings. Plans exist to restore the theatre, dividing it into smaller venues with a cinema, café, and restaurant.