http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/015.jpg http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/s016.jpg

20-storey tower with 281 apartments overall
Anchor Debenhams department store (105,520 sq ft on three levels)
Anchor M&S department store (86,648 sq ft on three levels)
Retail development along a covered “galleria” on three levels
Three-star Hotel with 118 rooms
9-screen cinema
Restaurant quarter

Is the anchor tenant still going to be Debenhams? Time was when Newport couldn't boast a department store... one thing both Newport and my own hometown desperately need is a better retail experience. There's way too much leakage to Cardiff at the moment.

Here's a render of the updated tower:

http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/014.jpg

:cheers:

Is the anchor tenant still going to be Debenhams? Time was when Newport couldn't boast a department store... one thing both Newport and my own hometown desperately need is a better retail experience. There's way too much leakage to Cardiff at the moment.
Yep, Debenhams at the one end, and if rumours are true, an anchor M&S at the other end. Cardiff is actually haemorrhaging shoppers as well at the moment according to icWales...

Ah yes, I've just found the story (http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_method=full%26objectid=19653770%26siteid=50082-name_page.html). This could be temporary, of course - St Davids 2 is a pretty impressive development. I suppose it's a big quandary - you have to make shopping centres accessible, which means car parks and traffic. However, you also want a clean, safe, pedestrian-friendly environment, which means restricting the car. Go figure.

Oops, I've just realised that the name of this thread is wrong. It should be 223ft/68m; could a kind moderator plz rename it? :lol:

I wonder if there's any chance we can see some high quality renders of the whole development, including the tower sometime soon... Even better than that, how about a start to the demolition of the concrete monstrosities currently on site?

I wonder if there's any chance we can see some high quality renders of the whole development, including the tower sometime soon... Even better than that, how about a start to the demolition of the concrete monstrosities currently on site?
Demolition would be blessed relief! As far as Friars Walk is concerned, it's due to start this year.

However, I've heard that the City Spires development won't commence 'till the new Kingsway MSCP is fully operational (won't happen 'till the end of 08).

Grr.

However, I've heard that the City Spires development won't commence 'till the new Kingsway MSCP is fully operational (won't happen 'till the end of 08).

Well, it didn't actually say that, it just said that the current Cambrian Car Park shouldn't be demolished until the new Kingsway is open. The Cambrian centre has other buildings (namely the shops on Cambrian Rd) that can be demolished and I'm sure I've heard before that an additional entrance/exit ramp can be provided into the existing car park to allow bits of it to be redeveloped.

In any case, I'm not entirely sure of the legality of attaching a condition to a planning decision that is entirely dependent on a third party project.

Interesting. An update to the minutes (http://www.newport.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/minutes/cont127005.pdf) has now taken out any reference to the Kingsway car park.

According to the pullout in the Western Mail the other day, work will start on site in November 2007 with opening in Spring 2010.

New hoardings being put on the Kingsway side of the site today confirm Debenhams, M&S and New Look as anchor tenants. Need to get some pictures!

I wonder if there's any chance we can see some high quality renders of the whole development, including the tower sometime soon... Even better than that, how about a start to the demolition of the concrete monstrosities currently on site?

totally agree, I could model that in my sleep:

http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/014.jpg

http://www.friarswalk.co.uk/downloads/lettings_plan.pdf

Shops so far:

Debenhams
M&S (MSU01)
New Look (MSU02)
Passion for Perfume
Boots (119, 120, 213, 214, 215)
JJB Sports (MSU03)
River Island (209)
Nando's (304)
Pizza Express (303)
Odeon Cinemas

New render of the 6-storey façade to Upper Dock Street. Click for a larger version:

http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/sUpperDockSt.jpg (http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/UpperDockSt.jpg)

This is the new stretch of road in the vicinity of the current Chartist Mural. I'd say this is an improvement! ;)

New render of the 6-storey façade to Upper Dock Street. Click for a larger version:

http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/sUpperDockSt.jpg (http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/UpperDockSt.jpg)

Wow, very colourful and eclectic!
I didn't realize that this façade was going to be that tall...

This is the new stretch of road in the vicinity of the current Chartist Mural. I'd say this is an improvement! ;)
Seconded!
Check out the Monmouthshire canal map on the wall! ;)

Check out the Monmouthshire canal map on the wall! ;)
Well spotted! Nice touch...

My goodness! Newport never ceases to amaze me these days, this looks almost meditaranian. If it's done well, it'll be great. Very urban, nice and colourful - not bad at all.

i like the first tower but that colourful thing is discusting. think 20 years time and it will just look like how 60's colourful shit does now!

i like the first tower but that colourful thing is discusting. think 20 years time and it will just look like how 60's colourful shit does now!

My guess is the colours are not going to make it into the finished product! ;)

My guess is the colours are not going to make it into the finished product! ;)

those colours look really really mediterranean...there are some pastel coloured houses by me on Penarth Marina, built 10-15 years ago, they still look the business today.

BTW that whole facade looks awesome, it really does. Newport is coming on in leaps and bounds, lets hope this development continues for a long time after the Ryder Cup...

As I said, it needs to be done well. If it's not it'll look cheap and tacky and will age very quickly, but if it's high quality it could really brighten up the city centre and give it a much more vibrant urban feel.

As I said, it needs to be done well. If it's not it'll look cheap and tacky and will age very quickly, but if it's high quality it could really brighten up the city centre and give it a much more vibrant urban feel.

Up until recently 'Newport' and 'tacky' have pretty much been one and the same thing! Let's hope that the ambition of all concerned is matched or surpassed by their attention to detail in terms of quality.

http://www.newport.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/press_release/cont152618.pdf

Thursday 15 November 2007
Start Date Announced for Development

Modus has announced that its 475,000 sq ft Friars Walk development is due to start on site at the end of spring 2008. This news follows the announcement that top high street retailer New Look has taken a 30,000 sq ft flagship store within the scheme.

The signing has added to the momentum which is gathering as Modus look to create an exciting tenant lineup. Modus will shortly be in a position to make a series of further announcements relating to retail and leisure occupiers. Modus and Newport City Council have been active over recent months revisiting the approved Friars Walk development to meet the requirements of our retail occupiers. This process concluded with the grant of an amended consent in September this year.

Anthony Kilbride, a Modus Development Director commented: ‘‘Members of the public will become aware that activity on site will increase around the turn of the year, adding to the good progress that has already been made on the refurbishment of the Kingsway Shopping Centre. Our development will then commence more fully in the spring.’’

Bob Bright, Leader of Newport City Council:
“I am absolutely delighted that we have reached the stage where we are shortly to make a start. The Friars Walk scheme will transform the leisure and retail opportunities in the heart of the city and I know that the people of Newport share our excitement to see the work start on what will be a superb, high quality development.” The Friars Walk scheme creates significant areas of new public realm within a high quality environment.

Modus will be holding an open day on the 29th – 30th November to provide further information on the Friars Walk development, as well as its other scheme City Spires.

New Friars Walk picture showing the N-S orientation of the tower.

http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/sGalleriaSide.jpg (http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/GalleriaSide.jpg)
(Click for bigger version)

You can see the rooftop garden for the tower above the restaurants.

It's interesting this controlled release of renders of this development. One pic seems to get released every couple of weeks to a month, and they're just getting more and more impressive! All that's left now is for them to actually start building the damn thing!

The Friar's Walk website www.friarswalk.com actually has some meaningful information on it now, including a lettings brochure here: http://www.friarswalk.com/downloads/brochure.pdf
It looks pretty positive actually with some shops already signed up and a number of others in negotiations. Friar's Walk seems to be in a better situation before even existing buildings are demolished than St Davids 2 is half way through construction.

Beat me to it! :D
The stores "in solicitor's hands" look good, as do the tantalising 11 that are "under negotiation"!

Check out the Fly Thru (http://friarswalk.co.uk/fly_through/fly_through.php)!! I prefer the jewel version! :D

Fair play, thats an innovative way to display the development. Not sure on the flying dragon though..!

Fair play, thats an innovative way to display the development. Not sure on the flying dragon though..!

Yes, Modus the Dragon? Oh dear. That concept and word should be verboten in all modern developments in Wales and Monmouthshire :ohno:

well there is a clear opportunity to Newport and its environs to become Wales 2nd city in the next 20 years or so...sandwiched between Cardiff and Bristol, with international eyes on it in the next 2-3 years...with developments like Friars Walk and the host of other dock redevelopments...the future does look good indeed for Cas-Newydd

^^I love the names of the restaurants in that pic. Noodo's - corruption of Nando's.
Wuugomo's - corruption of Wagamama
Friend's and Benny's - Corruption of Ben and Jerry's.

Looks awesome though. Can't make much out of the tower, mind:|.

Friend's and Benny's - Corruption of Ben and Jerry's.

Or is it Frankie and Benny's?

Looks awesome though. Can't make much out of the tower, mind:|.
Yes, the odd thing is this appears to be an earlier plan - the tower has been rotated through 90 degrees in the most recent plan and no longer features the "hole". And yet the fly thru mentions M&S, which post-dates the tower rotation...

That's a good bit of marketing. I'm now looking forward to this kind of thing for the City Spires website. I wish it was possible to view planning application documents on Newport Council's website like you can on many other council's websites.

There doesnt seem to be a general Newport thread, so I'll stick this regarding the new university campus here.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/uk_enl_1200471764/html/1.stm

There doesnt seem to be a general Newport thread
Apart from this one (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=200477)! :nuts:

Nothing much seems to have happened on this for a while. Usually after there's been a bit of a lull they release another render to keep us interested *hint hint* :)
I wanna know when construction is gonna start!

Yes, you're right - no update on tenants either since December 5th. :ohno:

Cinema: Vue (with solicitors)
Debenhams (105,300 sq ft) (exchanged)
M&S (81,450 sq ft) (exchanged)
New Look (29,510 sq ft) (exchanged)
JJB (14,599 sq ft) (with solicitors)
Boots (16,410 sq ft) (exchanged)
River Island (10,125 sq ft) (exchanged)
Next (7,470 sq ft) (with solicitors)
Republic (3,750 sq ft) (with solicitors)
Passion for Perfume (exchanged)
Starbucks (with solicitors)
Nando's (exchanged)
Pizza Express (exchanged)
Las Iguanas

+ 5 others and one restaurant "in negotiation"

Construction due to start in April. The new bus stops in Market Square opened today, so that frees up a bit of the bus station to start work!

Interesting - I thought the cinema operator was going to be ODEON?!

Interesting - I thought the cinema operator was going to be ODEON?!
An early version of the lettings plan did indeed show that, but I guess the letting agents keep many irons in the fire...

An early version of the lettings plan did indeed show that, but I guess the letting agents keep many irons in the fire...
Well, it's great to see the lettings moving forward in either case! :banana:

Well, it's great to see the lettings moving forward in either case! :banana:
Yes virtually the entire top two floors fully-let. Very good before work has even begun.

There is a worryingly high percentage amount of relocation oning on here, lets hope the vacated units are taken up fairly quickly or Commercial Street - a relatively goodlooking shopping street - will become dire :ohno:. The chain restaurants won't hurt the after hours vitally of the city centre:cheers:

There is a worryingly high percentage amount of relocation oning on here, lets hope the vacated units are taken up fairly quickly or Commercial Street - a relatively goodlooking shopping street - will become dire :ohno:. The chain restaurants won't hurt the after hours vitally of the city centre:cheers:

You know what? I was thinking the exact same thing. I guess we don't know which stores are going to replace the Commercial Street ones because they're not all announced together like these lettings. As all the relocations are going into bigger shops that should free up some of the smaller ones for more niche shops. It should all be good! ;)

http://www.friarswalk.co.uk/downloads/lettings_plan.pdf

JJB now exchanged contracts.
Units 101, 107, 108, 208, 210, 232 and restaurant 305 in negotiation.

New render of the tower. Looks more than 18 storeys, maybe 22-23ish at the tallest point?:

http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/015.jpg

Wow, that new render looks amazing! I agree -- it looks significantly taller than 18.:banana:

Even if we only count the floors above the lobby area (which looks like it's the height of three floors just by itself) we have 19/20 actual floors!

Some more changes (http://www.newport.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/report/cont228382.pdf). The tower is now 79m AOD/62m/203ft AGL and 20 storeys. This thread needs renaming ;)

Excellent. All the approved towers in the 'Port keep getting taller!

But none are under construction!I think with the market the way it is they need to get a move on. Personally im no that fussed on this design, from the video i was expecting something a bit more interesting in design. The height increase is good but what is the towers point of direction? Origionally i thought it would work with city spires to form a v shape (with the post office tower in the middle.

But none are under construction!I think with the market the way it is they need to get a move on.
True - they still have conditions attached to the planning permission that they can't start until the linear bus facility is working dropping off people outside the railway station. The bus stops are all there, so I can't see why it can't start VERY SOON...

The final design? Showing the new single-barrel roof

http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/s016.jpg

Bigger version here: http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/016.jpg

I prefer the single roof - less clutter in the galleria itself.

I prefer the single roof - less clutter in the galleria itself.

I agree. I'm not sure how this is seen by some as dumbing down the original design. In fact it is far more practical and overall is a major improvement.

I don't like the change, the old Galleria roof had more visual appeal in my opinion. All the changes in that pic scream of having been value engineered to me. It doen't ruin it, but it's certainly a step backwards as far as I'm concerned; it's lost it's elegance, it's high quality feel. Oh, and I'm worried about the blue wall by the steps bottom left; the first thing that comes into my head is 60's underpass.

Compare the two designs:
http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/012.jpg http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/s016.jpg

Think what this view will be like now:
http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/001.jpg

look how much better the origional tower was.

look how much better the origional tower was.

Well yes, but the tower has been rotated by 90 degrees, so we are seeing the end of it, not the "more interesting" side as in the previous render.

I don't like the change, the old Galleria roof had more visual appeal in my opinion. All the changes in that pic scream of having been value engineered to me. It doen't ruin it, but it's certainly a step backwards as far as I'm concerned; it's lost it's elegance, it's high quality feel. Oh, and I'm worried about the blue wall by the steps bottom left; the first thing that comes into my head is 60's underpass.

Compare the two designs:
http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/012.jpg http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/s016.jpg

Think what this view will be like now:
http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/001.jpg

I actually thought that the original roof was overly complicated and didn't add much.

Agree about the tower though. It seems that the roof will be much 'flatter' which is a pity. Then again we need to see a good render before we can really judge the changes. There are currently so many historical versions out there that we really need to see a final definitive render. Whatever happens its still going to be a major improvement on what was there before.

My main criticism over past projects in Newport has always been the choice and standard of materials used. You can have a great design but if the end result looks cheap and tacky then you are no further forward.

I think thats the problem with all modern developments, i fear only a few with better design or better materials will survive in say 50 years.

Agree about the tower though. It seems that the roof will be much 'flatter' which is a pity.
I don't know, I think this way it'll look much more substantial. It has lost 12ft from the height, but now the floors go right up to that full height rather than any mathematical extra height being waster in a pointless triangular void.

I don't know, I think this way it'll look much more substantial. It has lost 12ft from the height, but now the floors go right up to that full height rather than any mathematical extra height being waster in a pointless triangular void.

I appreciate what you are saying but there will be enough flat-topped towers in Newport by 2010 and it would be good to see a few more 'interesting' building designs.

The tower in the City Spires development is very impressive and not just because of its height! Until very recently it looked as though the Friars Walk development tower would also add something different to the Newport skyline.

Yes, I see what you're saying, but we've never really had any proper renders of just the tower to go on. All the pictures we've seen have either been of the galleria with a vague glimpse of the tower through the glass roof, or a crazily oblique view, so I guess we'll never know what the original design would really have looked like in reality.

City Spires is enough of an icon in the "odd bendy tower" department and I reckon it's easy to go overboard on such things!

Yes, we can definitely have too many wacky designs! A few substantial blocks of a decent size (with good materials, of course!) will IMHO create a more elegant skyline than having one primarily composed of crazy shapes.

I think the new orientation and style of the FW tower is going to be a good thing in the years to come - once the novelty of the weird shapes wears off we're still stuck with them!! :)

But to aspire to adequate box is not good enough IMO, Newport could create a great skyline composed of a few well designed iconic buildings. My impression of what the skyline would look like was similar to the shape of the new bridge ie. two tall buildings one higher than the other with the post office tower forming the bottom of the v shaped skyline.

Yes, I see what you're saying, but we've never really had any proper renders of just the tower to go on. All the pictures we've seen have either been of the galleria with a vague glimpse of the tower through the glass roof, or a crazily oblique view, so I guess we'll never know what the original design would really have looked like in reality.

City Spires is enough of an icon in the "odd bendy tower" department and I reckon it's easy to go overboard on such things!


Yep, that's what I was saying in an earlier post.

I guess it's all a matter of personal taste at the end of the day. Apparently at the time that the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building were built the Chrysler Building was regarded as the impressive design of the two. Personally I prefer the ESB and think that the CB looks a bit naff but when they were built with fashions being what they were then I might have thought differently.

I suppose that what we really want are one or two designs that are eye-catching but will also stand the test of time.

I prefer Chrysler over ESB :colgate:

I think most people preffer the chrysler to ESB, ESB has a nice deco design but its nothing compared to the Crysler for at least me. But disregarding which people preffer they both are unique designs and are highly styalised, whos sihouettes are recognised the world over (god my spelling is bad).

It happened a few days ago, but all the trees have now been cut down in John Frost Square in readiness for its imminent demise! :)

Legal notice in tonight's Argus for Pizza Express to get a premises license in respect of Unit 303, Friars Walk Shopping Centre, Newport. That's what I call getting the paperwork in early! :lol:

Delphi Property Group invests in Friars Walk (http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=530&storycode=3113418)!

Don't get too excited, there's no new information, just a new pic, courtesy of the Delph Property Group:

http://city.newport.net/FriarsWalk/MandS.jpg

Interestingly, that picture shows the old canopy design!

Interestingly, that picture shows the old canopy design!
And doesn't show the residential tower, which is their sole interest in the whole project! ;)

And doesn't show the residential tower, which is their sole interest in the whole project! ;)
Wouldn't that be just off the left of the frame?

Wouldn't that be just off the left of the frame?
Yes, and clearly Chartist Tower should be in the picture too, just to the right of the red-brick Upper Dock Street block.

Cinema: Vue (with solicitors)
Debenhams (105,300 sq ft) (exchanged)
M&S (86,648 sq ft) (exchanged)
New Look (30,352 sq ft) (exchanged)
Boots (20,816 sq ft) (exchanged)
JJB (15,045 sq ft) (exchanged)
Topshop/Topman (11,700 sq ft)
River Island (10,125 sq ft) (exchanged)
Dorothy Perkins/Buron (8,987 sq ft)
Next (7,470 sq ft) (with solicitors)
Republic (3,750 sq ft) (with solicitors)
La Senza (3,561 sq ft)
Holland and Barrett (1,937 sq ft)
Gregg's (828 sq ft)
Passion for Perfume (667 sq ft) (exchanged)
Starbucks (with solicitors)
Nando's (exchanged)
Pizza Express (exchanged)
Las Iguanas


+ 4 others and one restaurant "in negotiation"

I wonder if Starbucks will still continue with their store given they just closed 600 stores in the US and they announced here yesterday in Australia that they are closing 61 or their 85 stores with a loss of 700 jobs. The reason for closing here is due to strong competition and the fact that Australia already had a strong coffee culture. The US is closing due to a loss of +35% drop in business.

I dunno, even at the prices they charge they're still always full up when I go past...

If they start construction before the end of this year, does anyone think it's still possible to have the centre substantially completed in time for the Ryder Cup in 2010?

I think its possible but i dont know what they are waiting for, its hardly the best way to show off wales to the world with the center in the state its in now.

I think its possible but i dont know what they are waiting for, its hardly the best way to show off wales to the world with the center in the state its in now.


Rumour has it, the scheme is further delayed or even dead in the water. One of the big tennats may have pulled out.

Not looking promising for the Friars scheme to get built. Rumour has it one of the big boys has pulled out

Not looking promising for the Friars scheme to get built. Rumour has it one of the big boys has pulled out

Not according to the latest lettings guide released today. There are obviously changes to the start dates though: Start on site is now November 2008 (from April). New bus station is now October 2009 (from April 2009) and overall opening is now Autumn 2010/Spring 2011 (from Spring 2010).

Thats a bit late for the Ryder cup though!

Well, I guess we'll have to keep our fingers crossed for a November start. According to their wesite, the Ryder cup is from 1st to 3rd October 2010. If they do start this November and there are no more delays then its possible that at least parts of the centre will be open in time.

Golf in October in Wales?! Even if it isn't fully-open, at least it will be asthetically pleasing, which is half way there really.

On another note, I hope this Ryder Cup isn't spoilt by displays of overly-patriotic Welshness. It will be totally cringe-worthy if there are inflatable leeks and rugby balls everywhere.

lol, that would not be nice!

well this 20 storied appartment is quite good and excellent to have. As the height increases the investiemnt also increases. Every one should aware that the prices were decreasing in the property market and expected to decease more in the new year. This is the time for buying propertys ar an cheap price for selling at an profit in future.

Is this development going to actually get built or are we going to see a massively revamped and downsized version instead? I'm sure I read somewhere that the tower block is already under threat and may be dropped from the plans altogether.

It's better they don't build it if it's just going to get dumbed down out of all proportion. That's what keeps hapening in Newport.

City's £200m shops plan scrapped
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/8093918.stm

A new multimillion pound shopping centre in Newport has been scrapped after the firm behind the development pulled out.

The £200m Friars Walk shopping centre was initially supposed to be completed in time for the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Newport council plan to retender the project and find a new developer for the site.

Council leader Matthew Evans said they had not been prepared to accept a scaled down version of the project.

The original plan by Modus Corovest had featured a flagship Debenhams store, but work was delayed last year because of the credit crunch.

Mr Evans said: "As far as the council is concerned we have reached the stage where a definite decision needs to be taken on the future of Friars Walk.

"We have done all we can as a council to get this scheme to the stage where the developers had to come up with the funding and go on site.

Regeneration

"They have failed to do this and have now told us that because of the economic downturn they are currently not in a position to deliver the intended scheme.

"Such is the importance of this project for Newport we are not prepared to accept a scaled down version and will therefore open up the scheme to other interested parties."

In addition to Friars Walk, £100m is being spent on regenerating the city during the next 18 months.

The £25m Kingsway Shopping Centre, next to the proposed Friars Walk, is nearing completion.

Mr Evans said there had been no lack of interest in the scheme from shops and businesses, and added much of the groundwork had been done, including road infrastructure, an almost completed new car park and planning permissions.

John Burrows, chief executive of the urban redevelopment company Newport Unlimited, is optimistic about the chances of finding another developer.

"It takes about eight to 10 years to get shopping centre schemes completed. Only two to three years of that is the construction stage," he said.

"Already about four years of that has been successfully undertaken.

"Unfortunately there aren't new shops opening next year for the people of Newport."

However he continued: "The Ryder Cup will be just as successful in Newport without the shopping centre as it would be with it."

What a surprise for Newport [/sarcasm]

Why do we get shafted so much?

Newport is such a dump. Why shop here when Cardiff is just down the road. Forget the Kingsway Centre lets all go to St Davids. 220 shops, cafes, restaurants and even a library which is not even part of the centre. That really does some up Newport don't it.:lol:

I heared Marks and Spencer have now pulled out. Newport has its fair share of dumpier parts, but it has some really nice parts also. The new developments past George street bridge are actually quite nice (some of them superior to Cardiff apartment complexes), but its proximity to Cardiff and Bristol has meant that anyone with money now shops in those two cities leaving the city center to the poorest of Newports inhabitants, and some of them are really rough and in a vicious circle has prevented the people with money ever coming into the city center (a similar situation in many Valley towns). The only thing that could save Newport city center now is to have a leisure development that is well policed and is too snoby or family orientated for the more undesirable newportonians to want to be seen there.

Any shopping centre would be a white elephant anyway, we have the internet now.