Fourteen Locks Canal centre may need a new roof (From South Wales Argus)

Fourteen Locks Canal centre may need a new roof

1:40pm Wednesday 30th November 2011 in News

THE damage caused to a Newport canal centre in an alleged arson attack could be worse than was first expected.

Staff at Fourteen Locks Canal Centre in Rogerstone fear the roof above the café may have to be fully replaced after assessments revealed the timbers had been severely damaged.

Fire crews were called to the building in Cwm Lane in the early hours of November 12. The blaze caused damage to the café and meeting-room and destroyed furniture and IT equipment, including an overhead projector.

But offers of support have flooded in, with staff at education service provider A4E in Newport offering to help repaint the centre, and Newport-based Dragon Blinds offering to replace damaged window blinds free of charge.

Meanwhile, staff are busy preparing the centre for its partial re-opening this Saturday, which will kick off with a Santa walk at 10am.

Participants are being asked to dress up in their festive finery, and volunteers will collect any donations to go towards the refurbishment of the centre’s community boat, to be launched on the canal next year.

An exhibition by local artist Paul Weston will also be held this weekend in a bid to boost donations.

Centre manager Phil Hughes said he had been “overwhelmed” by local support.

He said: “We have been blown away by people’s generosity.”

● Benjamin Jones, 20, of no fixed address, appeared at Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court last Thursday charged with arson following the fire.

He was remanded in custody to appear before Newport Crown Court on Thursday.