EARLIER this year I was invited to become a vice president of the Penarth Civic Society (http://www.penarthsociety.org.uk/) – an offer I was delighted to accept.

As Penarth Times readers will know, the Penarth Society does sterling work, having managed some major projects in the town including the renovation of the memorial gardens, and a civic plaque scheme to highlight the successful refurbishment of some important town buildings.

The group aims to cherish the best of Penarth’s heritage while ensuring a vision is in place for the town’s future.

This approach – with one eye on history and the other on sympathetic redevelopment – is so important in a town like Penarth, where we can see evidence of beautiful old buildings brought to new life, and of course the incredible renovation of our Pier Pavilion. But there are also some sad examples of dereliction and decay, and I know many readers are saddened to see Normandie on Bridgeman Road, a once proud villa, lying in ruins.

Of course much of the development of Penarth, including residential homes and other 'civic' buildings, is inextricably linked with the development of the docks in both Cardiff and Penarth and the trade in coal and other exports, and I know many readers’ interest in heritage matters extends beyond the town itself.

I’m sure readers will therefore be concerned to hear that the future of one of the most historically important buildings in the constituency – just across the Bay in Butetown - is also at risk.

The Coal Exchange – a key part of Cardiff and Penarth's maritime heritage, and that of wider south Wales, and for so many years a symbol of the region’s worldwide importance – today stands as a sad shadow of its former self.

I am sure many Penarth residents will have fond memories of attending events and gigs there over the years.

However, the news that GYG Exchange Limited, the company that owns the building, has gone into liquidation, thereby casting doubt over its future, has only served to highlight the precarious position of this and other such historically important buildings in Cardiff and Penarth.

That’s why I have this week called for urgent action to secure the future of the building, and why I am working to bring together a campaign or consortium to save it. I urge anyone who wants to get involved to contact my office by ringing 02920 452072 or emailing stephen.doughty.mp@parliament.uk

It would be fantastic to bring new life to our heritage right across the local area – and learn from the examples we have seen where such buildings have been saved.