Work on iconic Powys building set for early 2024 completion

Extensive work to renovate the spa town’s Automobile Palace – built over 110 years ago – has been going on for months, having fallen into a state of disrepair and disuse in the last few decades.

The historically significant Grade II-listed building was eventually bought by Powys County Council (PCC) in 2021, which then submitted a listed building consent planning application with itself for the internal refurbishment and alterations to the ground and first floor “lettable” units and communal areas.

A view on Llandrindod from the Automobile Palace. (Image: Pete Roberts)

That was approved in August and members of the local authority’s cabinet got a first look at the work that has been done in recent months last week.

Llandrindod South county councillor Pete Roberts posted pictures of the extensive work that has and is being undertaken on his social media pages.

“Very interesting site visit to look inside the Auto Palace with cabinet colleagues yesterday,” Councillor Roberts said in a post on his Facebook page on October 25.

“In addition to DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) there will be two tenants on the upper floor, one in a standard office set-up while the other will have an industrial feel with the original ironwork fully visible.

“Downstairs, alongside the cycle museum, there will be 6 units coming off a central plaza that could be used for a pop-up market or similar events.

“The interior work is due for completion early in the new year, while the external wall is on a similar timeline. The far end by the retaining wall is being deliberately left unfinished so as not to put it at risk of damage during work on securing the retaining wall.

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“Work is now progressing on the design of the housing element of the site with site investigation for contaminants due after the renovation work is completed.”

PCC’s application covered units one to six, the foyer area and cycle museum on the ground floor and unit 9B and communal area on the first floor.

The aim of the £3.3 million refurbishment and alteration works is to provide fit for purpose, business-focussed facilities for Llandrindod and the wider community.

A previous planning application to renovate the building was approved last year.

Planning officer Natalie Hinds said in August: “The overall historic fabric, character and design of the building will be maintained and largely unaffected by the proposed development.

“It is therefore considered that the proposed works comply with relevant planning policies and the recommendation is one of conditional consent.”

Cllr Pete Roberts (l) on a visit round the town’s Automobile Palace last week. (Image: Pete Roberts)

The Automobile Palace was originally known as ‘The Palace of Sport’ when it was built in 1911, costing £11,000. Created by Tom Norton, a pioneer of Welsh cycling, motoring and engineering, his name is still emblazoned on its frontage.

He opened a bike shop in the Old Market Hall on Llandrindod High Street in 1899, near to the railway station, before turning his attention to motorcycles and cars at the turn of the 20th century.

He launched one of Wales’ earliest public bus services in 1906 and eventually became the Welsh dealer for Ford and Austin cars, and Ferguson tractors.

By the time the building was extended in 1919 his company was known as The Automobile Palace Ltd and had outlets in North Wales.

The word ‘Aircraft’ on the 1919 section of the building is a relic of Tom’s attempts to promote aviation locally. There was an airfield near the former Rock Park Hotel which hosted flying displays. Flights to London and other cities were available from the town in the 1930s.