Newport’s Friars Walk retail and leisure scheme was today given planning permission by the city council’s planning committee.
Queensberry Real Estate has applied to demolish existing buildings in the John Frost Square area and create shops, a six-screen cinema, restaurants, a new bus station and car parking.
It will provide more than 31,000 sqm of retail floor space in the heart of the city centre as well as a new John Frost Square public realm.
It is also proposed to commission new public art while the Bell Carrier sculpture will be relocated to the square.
Chairman of urban regeneration company Newport Unlimited, Bill Mayne, said the announcement was welcome news to the city.
He said: “It’s hugely important for the future of this city that this development goes ahead.
“Newport needs a city centre it can be proud of and this goes a long way to achieving this.
“This will bring much activity to Newport – such as jobs, visitors and further investment – and I am excited to see Friars Walk become a reality.”
