A well-established community gathering place in Newport risks shutting down unless a different organisation agrees to manage it.
The Lysaght Institute is scheduled to terminate operations on December 31, 2026, should another group not assume management responsibilities beforehand, after Codi Group informed local councillors it would discontinue running the facility in Lliswerry.
Mark Howells, who speaks for Lliswerry on the council, confirmed that Codi has formally declared its closure plans and invalidated all scheduled wedding ceremonies for the following year. The venue would therefore shut unless an alternative operator emerges. For many years, the premises has functioned as a central location for marriages, local gatherings, assemblies and social occasions, yet its outlook now remains uncertain.
In a combined declaration, Lliswerry ward members Mark Howells, Allan Morris, James Peterson and Andrew Sterry disclosed they received news of Codi Group’s choice several weeks prior but were requested to withhold public announcement until employees and clients with current reservations could be informed. They stated the structure represents more than just premises; it forms part of Newport’s heritage and the essence of Lliswerry, a point they raised during their discussions with the company.
Codi Group has committed to collaborating with councillors to consider possibilities for the Lysaght Institute, encompassing disposal or tenancy arrangements that would preserve the premises for community purposes. All events booked through December 31 will proceed as arranged, and the nursery situated behind the structure should continue operating.
Nevertheless, the ward members cautioned that simply securing a replacement operator would not ensure the structure’s prolonged existence. They characterised the Lysaght Institute as an extensive, heritage property with considerable maintenance expenses, noting that any prospective community group, social business or manager would require tangible assistance from local residents. They emphasised that securing the structure on documentation differs greatly from maintaining it operational and flourishing for coming generations, which would demand collective commitment.
The councillors have committed to taking all conceivable measures to avert the Lysaght Institute’s disappearance and promised to update residents as conversations develop. An official campaign to market and consult will be initiated to establish what direction the venue might take. A regular Lliswerry ward assembly is also planned to occur at the institute, offering townspeople an opportunity to engage directly with their elected representatives about developments.
The ward members expressed appreciation for the dedication and concern demonstrated by the public, stating this response exemplifies precisely why the Lysaght Institute merits dedication.