MORE than £1.4m was spent subsidising three Newport leisure and culture buildings in the last financial year.

Neither Newport Centre, the Riverfront nor the Museum and Art Gallery made a profit, according to an answer to a written question made by city councillor David Fouweather.

Ffion Lloyd, head of the council’s continuing learning and leisure department, said the subsidy for Newport Centre as £495,495, and for the Riverfront was £377,590.

She said the museum and art gallery was subsidised by £566,592.

Confirming none of the buildings were in profit, she said the subsidy was “continually reduced year on year”.

Cllr Fouweather suggested to the Argus that if the subsidy was reduced, the money clawed back could be spent on preserving the Chartist Mural.

Newport council has said it could cost £600,000 to move the mural – but even then the artwork may not survive the process.

He said: “If people were willing to reduce this subsidy the money could be spent on the mural. This would need detailed discussions, but I am sure there are people out there with the expertise to do this.”

The Argus previously reported that Newport Centre is one building that is being considered to be moved to an outside body. There is also an outstanding proposal to move Newport library and museum into the Centre.

Newport council did not respond to a request for comment on the story.