Villagers in Newport want to keep their visitor centre threatened with closure

The meeting was arranged by Newport Community Forum Visitor Centre Action Group following the decision by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to close the centre in Long Street by the end of February.

Those present at the meeting argued that the National Park had treated Newport badly and the consultation process had been inadequate and members of the council had taken the decision based on inaccurate information - a claim which has been previously denied by the authority.

The meeting applauded when Philly Morrall expressed regret that some parties put the blame for the present situation at the door of the voluntary Community Library Group, who work hard to raise the rent and running costs on their building and run it in cooperation with and under a service level agreement with the County Council.

The biggest support was for Mary Hallinan who said that if it does come to the National Park disposing of the Visitor Centre, if the Town Council is going to acquire it, move the Community Library in and provide a full visitor service, 'that’s all we’ve ever wanted'.

Meanwhile, Newport Visitor Centre Action Group hopes that the National Park will revisit its decision so that the Authority itself retains the visitor service in Newport.