AN HISTORIC Newport pub, The King William, is being turned into apartments following work between its owner and the city council.

The King William pub, on the corner of Commercial Street and Kingsway, has been empty for several years.

Now Newport Council has announced that the 19th Century structure will be converted into “high quality flats”, with work currently underway.

It is hoped the preservation work will allow for some of the original features of the building to be preserved.

Newport council is hoping to help regenerate the centre of Newport by encouraging more people to live there, and hopes other landmark buildings can be similarly converted.

Councillor John Richards, cabinet member for regeneration and development, said: “Early next year, we will find out if our £13.3 million bid for the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places funding has been successful. We are proposing a housing and heritage-led regeneration programme for the central area of the city.

“It is aimed at reinvigorating the city by tackling problems of vacant properties, community disadvantage and housing shortfall. Hopefully, we will be able to emulate what is being done in the King William for other key landmark buildings.”

Cllr Richards commended the owner and council officers “who have worked together to enable this project to get off the ground.”

Elsewhere in Newport city centre there are plans for the grade II Shire Hall, in Pentonville, to be converted into 11 one-bedroom apartments and seven two-bedroom flats.