A Brief Background

Cosy Hall was derelict until 1985, it had been a Music Hall in 1925, a Gospel Hall in 1881 and a coach manufactory in 1852.

In 1976 Susan Miles and a friend identified the derelict building scheduled for demolition, where Sue’s father had been manager when it had been the Cosy Hall music hall, as a potential Newport community venue. In May 1979 a formal objection was made to the demolition, and a petition was started for its preservation.

The derelict building and the land adjoining was purchased by Clare Boughey and donated to the Cosy Hall Charity for the sum of £1.

Renovated, restored and enlarged, Cosy Hall is now Newport’s Community Building owned and managed by the community through the Charitable Trust and its Managing Trustees.

Designed in two phases, phase one was opened in November 1985 at a renovation cost of £75,000, raised by a wide range of local fundraising, together with grants from local authorities and agencies.

In 1998 the second phase of Cosy Hall was completed at a cost of £355,000, with a grant of £250,000 from the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England.

Now a multi-use building which is used every day. The ground floor Gallery Rooms seats Approx 40 The Green Room supports the Gallery Room as a break-out area for coffee etc. The first floor Susan Miles Room seats 100 max.

There is a lift to the first floor and the building is fully accessible for those with disabilities.

Cosy Hall is entirely self-sufficient. Income from lettings cover the outgoings. Major projects are funded through surplus income and grant applications.

January 2024. It was with great sadness that we, the Trustees of Cosy Hall, learnt of the death of our President and Founder, Susan Miles MBE. We owe her an immense debt of gratitude for her tenacity, lobbying, fund raising endeavours, hands on approach and her ability to lead the team of volunteers to make her dream a reality. Cosy Hall is a wonderful legacy.