The Palace Cinema in Risca has celebrates its first anniversary after re-opening as a new library and council service centre.
During its first year, the new-look Palace has attracted more than 120,000 visitors.
The Grade II listed building cost £2.25m to redevelop after standing derelict for more than 20 years.
Cllr Rhianon Passmore, cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said: “I am delighted to see that this historic and iconic building has been restored to its former glory and transformed into such an exciting and well-used resource. The visitor and book loan numbers speak volumes for what a superb, welcoming community facility it has become for the people of Risca and the surrounding areas.”
Cllr Passmore added: “It is equally right and proper, that the late Cllr Keith Griffiths who campaigned so diligently to get this project off the ground should be remembered as a key driver to the success of the Risca Palace Library.”
Nearly 40,000 people have visited the Customer Service Centre to make a payment, or access a range of council services such as applying for a blue parking badge, applying for housing benefit or getting help with their council tax.
Cllr Keith Reynolds, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for corporate services, said: “The investment in this important town centre facility has allowed us to create a bustling social and educational hub offering a range of fantastic services, of which local people have been able to take full advantage.”
The building boasts a library, customer services, a youth space, meeting rooms and space to stage arts events and film nights.
Originally opened around 1912, the Risca Palace was one of the first purpose-built cinemas in the valleys.
It continued to show films into the 1960s, becoming a bingo hall in the 1970s before closing in the mid-1980s.