A NORTH Pembrokeshire town is set to benefit from a new volunteer-run visitor centre and library all under one roof.

Newport Town Council is set to take over the Long Street premises, after Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority approved the Community Asset Transfer of its former information centre building.

The PCNPA has agreed to let the premises on a 30-year lease, with a rent of £1 per year.

The Town Council has also successfully applied for a Pembrokeshire County Council Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant to help set up the new facilities.

Park Authority Chair, Gwyneth Hayward said: “The Authority is delighted to have been able to reach an agreement for the transfer of this building to the local community.

“The town council, library group and Park Authority staff have all contributed a great deal of hard work to ensure the process was completed as smoothly as possible and we hope many residents and visitors will benefit from this new community asset for many years to come.”

Building works are already underway and the library is due to relocate to its new home at the beginning of December.

Chair of Newport Town Council, Cllr John Griffiths said: “Successfully completing a 30-year lease of the building at a nominal rent now gives our town the opportunity to create a facility for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. It is now up to us all to make the most of this opportunity."

Jean Coyne, Chair of Newport Community Library Group added: "We are especially thrilled and excited to have the opportunity to move from our current premises in Bridge Street to the newly acquired visitor centre building, a building that will give us all the potential we need to achieve fully our aims of serving the community.”

The next stage will be to organise and set up the team of volunteers that will run the building.

Anyone who wishes to volunteer at the visitor centre or library is invited to attend a coffee and cakes get together at Cnapan, East Street, Newport at 11am on Tuesday, December 11.