I work for an organisation called The Chinese in Wales Association and my strongest memories of the Grand are associated with the work that we do. The organization recently moved into the Grand Multicultural Hub and established an office in the Arts Wing.
I remember the announcement that we made to the Chinese community that we work with about the hub and how excited everybody was especially the elders. They found the venue very accessible and convenient because it’s in the city centre and it’s located just next to the bus station. The Arts Wing also has a lift which helps the elders to access our services.
I also remember a show that I saw at the theatre. It was a show performed in the main auditorium by an amateur theatre group. I was surprised to see that amateurs created such a high-quality show. It was a very positive and delightful experience for me. After that, I purchased another ticket to watch a different show but unfortunately, the theatre closed due to the pandemic.
The Grand is a centrepiece of the city and has a very artistic exterior. It’s a very elegant and well-preserved building with a rich history. It would be a really great opportunity to have it utilised, not just for artistic, cultural and heritage reasons but for the public benefit.
I’ve watched productions in the theatre myself but I think it will also be a very nice place for people to get together and have different cultural exchanges. It would be a nice contact point for the public services where people can find what they need.
I don’t think anything in the world is entirely separated or dissociated, and seeing the Grand becoming the hub for everyone is exciting because at the end of the day everything is about people and the community.