Newport City Council is pulling out all the stops to make sure the transformation of the John Frost Square area into a modern, vibrant shopping centre takes place as soon as possible.
Advertisements inviting interest from major developers for a new multi-million pound scheme will be going out at the beginning of November and it is expected that a short-list will be drawn up by the beginning of January.
“We will be expecting potential partners to meet our high specifications as we want a quality development that will encourage shoppers back and persuade major retailers to stay in the city centre,” said Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport City Council.
“The people of Newport have been waiting a long time for a new shopping scheme and we are determined to do everything in our power to make it become a reality.
“A lot of the groundwork has already been done so when a new development partner is chosen work can begin very quickly and officers have been working around the clock to ensure we can go to the market next month.”
Councillor Ed Townsend, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic development, said: “We are still battling the effects of the recession but this is a really positive step forward for Newport.
“Although we cannot give any guarantees about the future – no-one can – a number of leading developers have already indicated the scheme is very attractive and Newport has the edge over other locations planning new developments because many of the preparatory stages are already complete.
“We hope that this positive step forward will encourage major retailers, such as Marks and Spencer, to remain in the city centre and we are trying to persuade those companies,that are proposing to leave, to change their minds.
“But just as importantly, we believe a new shopping scheme will benefit all traders in the city centre including our many and varied independent businesses who, as proved by a recent survey, offer the best service in the UK.”
