Levelling Up Fund: Ruthin Gaol/46 Clwyd Street

Project background

Ruthin Gaol is a Grade 2* listed Pentonville-style prison – one of few left open to visitors in the UK and the only one in Wales. It is a valuable driver of visitor footfall and spend into the area. However, there is a lack of sufficient space in the current site to accommodate facilities that many visitors to heritage sites now expect, i.e. a café, extensive shop, education space, local exhibition galleries, etc. The central focus of this project will be the restoration of the adjacent 46 Clwyd Street, which will provide these services and expand the overall offer at Ruthin Gaol.

Although it is currently unused, 46 Clwyd Street – a separate building, and the only one with road frontage and visibility to passing trade – is a key part of the Gaol site. It is where the oldest prison in Ruthin once stood. This was later replaced with the current building, which was built as a home and office for the prison governor. As of today, 46 Clwyd Street has remained empty for almost 10 years.

This Levelling Up-funded project will bring the ground floor of 46 Clwyd Street back into use by developing a new, more prominent main entrance to the Gaol, an enhanced ticket office and reception area, a café, additional exhibition spaces, and an education room and archive research space.

Key points

• This project activity is part of Clwyd West Levelling Up Fund Project 1: Ruthin's Unique Heritage and Wellbeing.
• This project will deliver improvements to 46 Clwyd Street.
• The design contract has been awarded to local consultants TACP Architects.
• The project is due to be completed by April 2025.

Current position

A planning application and listed building consent for the work has been submitted. These are available to view publicly through the online Denbighshire Planning Portal.

Gallery

Front view of 46 Clwyd Street

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Rear view of 46 Clwyd Street

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46 Clwyd Street: Proposed floor plans (TACP Architects)

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46 Clwyd Street: Internal 3D views (TACP Architects)

Consultation

Project information and designs may also be viewed on site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will be delivered?

The expected deliverables are:

• A new entrance through 46 Clwyd Street to the Grade 2* Ruthin Gaol
• Reception area
• Museum shop
• Café
• Meeting and learning room
• Exhibition / gallery space

What are the expected benefits?

Primary benefits include:

• Improved heritage asset.
• Heritage asset safeguarded.
• Increased income generation.
• Expansion of offer - additional services and experiences for visitors and residents.
• Increased footfall (to the site and the town) due to expanding offer.
• Long-term increased sustainability / reduced cost of the facility for Denbighshire County Council.

Will access to Ruthin Gaol still be available during the work on 46 Clwyd Street?

We are not currently anticipating any disruption to visitor access to the main building of Ruthin Gaol or the North East Wales Archives. During the construction phase, restoration work should be largely contained within 46 Clwyd Street.