Pop Factory in Wales Goes on Sale

Why this is here: The Pop Factory launched the presenting careers of Alex Jones, Gethin Jones, and Steve Jones, all of whom began their television work at the venue.

Valleys Kids, a charity in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, has listed The Pop Factory for £475,000. The venue, a former soft drinks factory, opened as a music and television studio in 2000 with a launch by Tom Jones. It hosted performances by artists including Stereophonics, Catatonia, and Victoria Beckham, and served as a set for shows like The Pop Factory, launching the careers of presenters Steve Jones, Alex Jones, and Gethin Jones.

Since 2012, Valleys Kids used the building for arts, music, and community events. Now, the charity aims to refocus its efforts, prompting a local group—The Pop Factory Ltd—to attempt a community purchase. They plan to raise £250,000 by September and seek additional funding to preserve the space for creative and charitable purposes.

Josh Evans, a sound engineer involved in the fundraising, notes the building’s importance for local musicians and disadvantaged community members. While the group hopes to secure the future of The Pop Factory, funding remains a challenge, and the building’s ultimate fate is still undecided.