The Empire Neath Memorial Plaque
This time in the year 2012 the demolishment of the Empire Neath was completed. It had great potential for many uses - a fitness gym with a cafe is just one example. The purchase price was about the price of two houses. Alas, the sale was blocked and Coastal Housing had a grant which enabled them to aquire the plot and to demolish the building for social housing.
Thousands of Neath residents were deprived of its use. The Internet Memorial Plaque (above) reveals the councillors who approved (rubber stamped) the demolishment - they will not be forgotten.
The stained glass windows (one shown on the right) were saved and are now in the art department of Swansea University until a museum is made available in Neath. Also many other art treasures are in storage at several sites scattered over the Borough until a museum is found.
It is also thought that some treasures are held for safe keeping in good faith in private homes.
EXTRA .... Let's be frank.... Compared to the Neath Town Centre development this was a rush job once it was approved by the Planning Committee and rubber stamped by councillors. There is no knowledge (at the moment) about where the grant came from or how many fingers were in the pie. Sooner rather than later, more facts will come to light and they are sure to make interesting reading.
Meanwhile the Plaza in Port Talbot has been saved - although it is in a location once prone to flooding.* As for the buiding itself, it was in not such a good condition as the Neath Empire. Ah well - it has often been said that Port Talbot comes before Neath.
* See flood photo on right sent in by a reader.
