Eisteddfod to gain more control over running of Pavilion

* Madness headline at the Pavilion during last year's Eisteddfod.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will gain more control over Llangollen Pavilion next month as new arrangements are put in place for the management of the iconic site.

Festival chiefs say this will allow them to open up opportunities for year-round entertainment and other activities in the town.

Under current arrangements overall management and responsibility of the Pavilion site, home to the world-renowned International Eisteddfod, rests with Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL). 

This responsibility will change to the Eisteddfod, with a lease from Denbighshire County Council granted subject to agreed terms. 

This will allow the Eisteddfod, as owners of the site, greater flexibility to develop the site for the benefit of Llangollen and the wider north east Wales region, they feel.

Eisteddfod chairman John Gambles said: "We would like to thank Denbighshire Leisure Ltd for being custodians of the Llangollen Pavilion. 

* The NEW Sinfonia orchestra play on the Pavilion main stage last year.  

"I’d like to thank them for their ready co-operation managing the transition. This new arrangement with Denbighshire County Council provides a huge opportunity for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as we move towards our aim of becoming an all-year round organisation for the benefit of local people and visitors.” 

This summer, the Pavilion will host a range of world-famous acts including the Live at Llangollen Pavilion concerts which will feature headline shows by Texas, Rag’n’Bone Man, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, James, The Script, Olly Murs and The Human League.

This year's Llangollen International Eisteddfod takes place from July 8-13, which will see 4,000 competitors from 35 different countries heading for Llangollen. 

The festival also has concerts by legendary frontman from The Who, Roger Daltrey, a concert celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, featuring One World conducted by Sir Karl Jenkins, KT Tunstall, Il Divo, Choir of the World with special guest Lucie Jones and Sir Bryn Terfel and Fisherman’s Friends.

The Eisteddfod say the new arrangement will provide more flexibility and allow it to further cement its partnership with live music and event promoters, Cuffe and Taylor, to attract more entertainment acts in the future.

John Gambles added: “Last summer’s events including concerts by Sir Tom Jones, Manic Street Preachers and Bryan Adams delivered huge economic benefits to the town of Llangollen. This is something we will expand for the benefit of our wider region. 

"In any new arrangement for the site, the Llangollen Eisteddfod would honour all existing bookings at the Pavilion for 2025. 

"We are also working on a number of exciting projects that will not only safeguard the future of our iconic Pavilion and hall but also ensure we realise the exciting potential of this amazing venue.

* Manic Street Preachers take to the Pavilion stage at the 2024 Eisteddfod.

"The new arrangements will not incur any additional costs for any party but will simplify the management arrangements by ensuring fewer parties are involved."

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: “The team has worked closely with Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Denbighshire County Council to ensure a seamless handover for everyone involved and we’re delighted that everything has transitioned so smoothly. 

"We would like to thank Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and wish them all the best in what we expect will be hugely successful summer ahead.”

Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, Denbighshire’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “The council is looking forward to working with the Eisteddfod as it embarks on these exciting new opportunities. 

"A core underlying principle of our Asset Management Strategy 2024-2029 is considering who best to own and operate each asset and identify opportunities for collaboration. 

"I’m proud of the collaborative approach between the council’s property team, DLL and the Eisteddfod for this site. 

"Llangollen is already one of the jewels in Denbighshire’s crown and a top-class tourist destination attracting, on average, over half a million visitors a year.

“There are exciting prospects ahead for the town and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as it looks to expand the opportunities and the use of the Pavilion. 

"This will bring significant benefits to the whole region. We’d like to thank DLL for supporting the Eisteddfod and maintaining this site over the past five years.”