IT is perhaps no surprise that the Westgate Hotel in Newport is once more on the market.

But in our view it is welcome.

This is a landmark building which has been under-used for far too long.

The current owners have shown no great inclination to do much with the majority of the Grade II-listed building which occupies such a prominent position in the city centre and such a central role in the city’s history.

As recently as last week that was marked in the unveiling of the artwork created to commemorate the city’s role in the tumultuous days of the Chartist Uprising in 1839.

We know there are those who would like to see the Westgate Hotel used to house some sort of museum to Chartism.

However we fear that the cost would probably prove prohibitive.

But in our view it is vital that the building is brought back into full use.

It is far too important to stand there half empty.

And given the new buzz around Newport at the moment as a good place to invest and do business, then perhaps the timing is now just right for an investment which could give this beautiful building a new lease of life.