Historic Newport building restored

: The Lysaght Institute first opened its doors in 1928 and immediately became an integral part of the community

The Lysaght Institute in Newport opened its doors for the first time since 2001 following a £3 million refurbishment.

The restoration, carried out by Linc-Cymru housing association, is part of a £50 million development project of Lysaght Parc, Lliswerry.

As a community hub it has a functions hall, IT suite, coffee shop, childcare facilities and pilates and zumba classes. Original features from when the ‘Stute first opened in 1928 have been restored.

Linc-Cymru CEO Robert Smith actively promoted Lliswerry community’s input. “It’s been about working with the community to get things right”, he says, “and to see it finished and opening to the public again makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

After being closed for a decade, it aims to help create local employment opportunities alongside Newport Social Enterprise.

View The Lysaght Institute in a larger map

Built by John Lysaght Ltd in 1928, the Lysaght Institute was a social hub for the area and the 3,000 employees of Orb Steelworks.

It had a ballroom, billiard room, skittle alley, bar and was the centre for social activities throughout the year.

It was built from contributions from the steelworkers, a shilling a week taken from their pay, as well as the steelworks’ owner WR Lysaght.

Councillor for Lliswerry ward, Roger Jeavons, has a family history with the ‘Stute going back all the way to its original opening.

His grandfather donated to the funds to build it, his father and uncle worked there, and Mr Jeavons himself used to go out to the ‘Stute with his wife Sandra before it closed in 2001.

His attachment to the building was an important part of him getting involved with the Lysaght Parc Regeneration Project.

Roger Jeavons says, “It means so much to the community to get the building up and running again, back in its rightful place at the centre of community life. Its reopening makes me very proud.”

Councillor Roger Jeavons, Linc-Cymru, Lliswerry, Lysaght Institute, newport, Newport Social Enterprise