Newport Town Council confirms £310,000 purchase of High Street building and plan to move staff in

Newport Town Council paid more than £310,000 to purchase an historic High Street property, a meeting heard.

Town councillors said they are excited by the possibilities owning the Grade II-listed Gower House could bring.

The council has confirmed it plans to move staff in from its Guildhall base on the other side of High Street.

Mayor Thomas Janke said: "This is a considerable high-value asset that is now under the council's control.

"It is better than the money being in a bank account gathering interest."

Councillor Paul Crewe (East ward) said: "We will have the opportunity to do so many things to do some good in the community.

"It is slap bang in the middle of Newport."

Councillor Heather Brennan (East ward) was the only councillor who voted against the purchase.

She was not opposed to the principle of making the investment but did not think it was the right building.

Councillor Brennan told Wednesday's meeting (October 14) at The Hub that she was pleased the process had been "watertight" with nothing about the process leaking into the public domain.

She praised the "utmost professionalism regardless of personal difference”.

Councillors said that even though commercial sensitivity meant that decisions “had to be made in private” the principle had been the subject of consultation and discussion.

The town council moved quickly earlier this year to fulfil a “long-held ambition” to buy a property.

The authority believes that the late 18th-century office building at 14-16 High Street "would deliver lasting benefits to residents while also providing a degree of financial security for the future”.

A report handed to councillors on Wednesday said the Gower House building was purchased for £310,000, with legal fees of £8,530.96 and building survey costs of £3,200.

Apart from relocating council staff, full plans for the building are not yet known.

After the meeting town clerk Jo Reay said it will be a two-year project and the public will have the opportunity to get involved.