WELSH actor Rhys Ifans is set to officially open a £4m extension project at one of Wales’ leading arts venues.

The Galeri’s new cinema in Caernarfon, will be officially opened on Friday afternoon.

The new development at the Victoria Dock, mean's the town will now have the only full-time dedicated two screen cinema in the Anglesey and Gwynedd region.

The Haverfordwest born actor, is known for his numerous appearances in hit films and productions including Notting Hill, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallowes Part I, and the Amazing Spider Man.

It will be his first public appearance since being unveiled as Into Film Cymru’s latest ambassador.

To celebrate the opening – a series of events will take place throughout the day. Local schools will be in attendance for a special session with Rhys Ifans, organised by Into Film Cymru.

During the evening, a sold out theatre will learn more about Rhys in “an evening with” chaired by Lisa Gwilym.

Rhys Ifans said: “The greatest investment we can make as a society is to give people the opportunity to experience the arts, and I am so pleased to be opening the new cinema screens at Galeri.

"Film is such a powerful medium which can take us to another world, inspire us with great stories and teach us about the emotions that we all share. This important investment is a fantastic opportunity for the local community to be able to watch the latest films together on their doorstep.”

The opening of the Galeri’s new extension, is the latest of a long list of regeneration projects carried out by the social enterprise, Galeri Caernarfon Cyf (formerly Cwmni Tref Caernarfon).

The trust have to date regenerated over twenty properties in Caernarfon with the development of Galeri on Victoria Dock the largest project to date.

The scheme has been eight years in the making by the social enterprise Galeri Caernarfon Cyf with financial support from the Arts Council of Wales (Lottery fund), the EU funded Tourism Attractor Destination programme, led by Visit Wales, and through Welsh Government’s VVP scheme.

Gwyn Roberts, CEO said: “When you look at Caernarfon today, it’s easy to forget the condition the town was in back in 1992.

"This was the catalyst and driving force for the creation of Cwmni Tref Caernarfon (now Galeri Caernarfon Cyf) – and the company set out to regenerate several buildings within the walled town.

Now 15 years after work on Galeri began, opening the new extension really completes the building in terms of the facilities and what we can do here. Since opening Galeri in 2005, we have organised over 400 events annually – and having the new screens will of course increase this number substantially moving forward.

The company now employ 51 local people, and within Galeri there are over 10 resident companies working within the creative industries – all employing staff and making an economic and cultural contribution to the area. We now house the first purpose built cinema in the town since 1984 – and we are delighted that Rhys Ifans has agreed to officially open the screens.”

Among the funders of the project are Arts Council of Wales who awarded over £1.5m to the extension. This project is the first of a series of wider regeneration projects in Caernarfon to be completed. Galeri received £1.47m ERDF funding through Visit Wales’ TAD scheme towards the project.

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport added:

Galeri received £1.47m ERDF funding through Visit Wales’ Tourism Attractor Destination scheme towards the project. Lord Elis-Thomas, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport added: “I’m delighted that the Welsh Government’s Tourism Attractor Destination Scheme funding has resulted in wider investment of £14m for Caernarfon, drawing on the town’s rich heritage and cultural assets to become the iconic destination it deserves to be .

"These new facilities here in Galeri will be a great asset for visitors to Caernarfon, providing them with an all-weather attraction.”

The new cinema screens in Galeri will offer audiences access to a varied film programme suitable for the whole community – including regular “on-release” films, a purpose built cinema environment and an opportunity for the venue to bring in further income through live events in the theatre and hires/conferences/weddings to ensure a sustainable business model.

For the latest information, films and tickets – please visit galericaernarfon.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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The new 800m2 extension means the Galeri, on Doc Victoria, now has two dedicated cinema screens, with119 seats and 65 seats, 3D capability, a new entrance and box office, public art/craft display areas, a meeting room and dedicated creative space for various workshops to be held.

The development and implementation of whole project by the social enterprise Galeri Caernarfon Cyf has taken seven years.

It has been possible due to financial support from the Arts Council of Wales (Lottery fund), Visit Wales TAD scheme (ERDF funding) and through Welsh Government’s VVP scheme.

The new cinema screens will offer audiences access to a varied film programme suitable for the whole community – including regular “on-release” films, a purpose built cinema environment and an opportunity for the venue to bring in further income through live events in the theatre and hires/conferences/weddings to ensure a sustainable business model.

Gwyn Roberts, Galeri’s CEO commented:

“Back in 2010 we realised that we were in a situation where we weren’t able to fully develop our artistic programme as we were sharing the theatre space between live events and the cinema programme. By now having a dedicated space to show film, it releases the theatre for other events for 90 additional days per year. We’re pleased that we have been able to give Caernarfon a proper cinema for the first time since 1984.”