Ryder Cup City moves forward to 2020 vision

The £2 billion regeneration of Newport and its 2020 Vision for the future moves forward as the city prepares to host next year’s Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort. Despite the recent announcement that the Friars Walk retail scheme has been a victim of the credit crunch, numerous other projects are well under way.

The 2020 Vision for Wales’s gateway city includes 150 regeneration projects, £2 billion of investment, two million sq ft of new office space, 11,000 new homes, 825 acres of derelict land reclaimed and still one million sq ft of refurbished retail space.

Today this vision is becoming a reality, with developments across all sectors on site and rapidly transforming the city’s appearance. Between now and next year’s Ryder Cup around £100 million of regeneration projects are due for completion bringing new jobs and more opportunities for investment.

John Burrows, chief executive of Newport Unlimited, said:

"'This is a very exciting time for Newport. With four tower cranes at work in the heart of the City and numerous building projects underway around the city centre and inner areas it is clear that regeneration in Newport is moving forward despite global market difficulties affecting the Friars Walk scheme.

"The regeneration programme promoted and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, Newport City Council, and the private sector is continuing from strength to strength with projects to increase the number of new jobs, new homes, new environmental improvements, and new education and cultural facilities to stimulate vibrancy, interest and investment in the City."

Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport city council, said:

"The huge scale and diversity of the projects on site in Newport is testament to the enormous potential that the city has. There will be few locations in the UK with such an active and ongoing regeneration programme, particularly during the current economic climate.

"The confidence that businesses and investors have in the city can be seen by the size and scope of the developments we have on site as we focus on turning the 2020 Vision for Newport into a reality."

Despite the current economic downturn, major regeneration projects are underway, including new housing schemes, a new £35m university campus in the city centre and new retail and business developments.

Talks are commencing to replace the Friars Walk retail development, with many other projects on site and nearing completion, or due to start imminently.

In the city centre the new university campus and 1050 space Kingsway car park are on site and making excellent progress. The car park is due to open later this year and will complement the refurbished Kingsway Shopping Centre.

Major progress is being made on the key strategic projects, with public consultation underway on plans to transform the Crindau Gateway to the north of the city including proposals for a new canal basin and marina.

St Modwen, who are developing land on the former Llanwern steelworks, are due on site next year for the first phase of their 4000 home development. The project will see the regeneration of one of Wales’s largest and symbolic brownfield sites, given the devastating job losses at the steelworks just eight years ago.

The first phases of both the City Vizion and Newhaus developments have been built while other housing schemes which will provide in-demand affordable housing around Old Town Dock are due on site this year. On the east side of the River Usk around 500 new properties will have been completed by the end of the year.

Around George Street, the flagship £8.4m Orb office development is complete and its glazed, curved design has created an attractive new city landmark as people approach the city centre from the south. The speculative development will soon have its first tenants, Newport City Homes, who themselves will be creating hundreds of new jobs and investment opportunities for the city.

Network Rail’s £25m redevelopment of the railway station is also due on site shortly, with its plans for an attractive new building and concourse at a key gateway into the city.

In retail, two major new supermarkets are planned with Asda building their new store on the former cattle market site while Tesco are planning to replace their existing premises with a significantly expanded new store on the Newport Retail Park in Spytty.

A new gas-powered power station is being built in Uskmouth, while the former LG site to the west of the city is set to house two new developments, with a £1 million WH Smith distribution centre and a data centre planned for the site.

The city’s historic docks are attracting ‘green industry’ investors with several high profile multi-million pound projects offering new opportunities for the area.

Newport docks is already home to the Sims recycling plant – a world leader for recycling waste electrical goods. This year three renewable energy plants in the docks area have been proposed, with the potential to bring significant investment in a sector predicted to dominate future industrial developments.

Newport City Council is driving forward its own major capital programme, including a £21 million investment in the city’s highways infrastructure – the largest of its kind in Wales.

The council is also committed to a major secondary schools redevelopment programme. The first stage of this, a new £28 million secondary school for Bettws is due to open later this year.

Ends

Admiral announces plans to move to new city centre office in Newport

12/01/12

Admiral Group plc has announced provisional plans to take a 20-year lease on a new 77,000 sq ft office building in Newport city centre as part of its continued commitment to south Wales. The company anticipates the building will be ready for occupation by the end of 2013 and will be able to accommodate up to 1,200 members of staff.

The new development will form part of Scarborough Development Group’s redeveloped Cambrian Centre in Queensway, opposite Newport train station. The building’s excellent train and bus links, together with the number of local car parks were major factors in Admiral’s decision to take space there.

Huw Llewellyn, head of property for Admiral Group, said, "Since we opened our first office in Newport in 2008 it has been a great success. We are committed to the city and hope to grow our operation there.

"The new location in Queensway should be much better for our current employees and any future new recruits in Newport. As well as great transport links they will have access to all the amenities and facilities of Newport city centre."

Admiral currently employs 450 people in two offices at Langstone Business Park and moving to the new location gives Admiral the chance to grow should the company need to.

Newport City Council leader, Councillor Matthew Evans, said: "This announcement is a great start to the new year and also a wonderful boost to the physical regeneration of Newport’s city centre.

"I am absolutely delighted they see Newport as an ideal location in which to expand. This will create jobs in the city and much needed employment opportunities for local people.

"It is a positive acknowledgement by Wales’ only FTSE 100 company that Newport is the right destination for them to grow and expand their business and they will have access to a talented and motivated pool of workers."

Councillor Ed Townsend, cabinet member for regeneration, added: "It is brilliant news that Admiral wants to locate into Newport city centre.

"This investment is a massive boost for Newport and will benefit the city economically, aid its regeneration and shows that we are a city open and ready to do business."

Admiral’s move comes as further developments are taking place in Newport city centre. A new multi million pound shopping development is planned for the city’s John Frost Square area and right at the heart of the city, Newport’s indoor market and its surrounding area being improved and opened up to public transport.

The move into the redeveloped Cambrian Centre is subject to terms being finalised between Admiral and the developer, Scarborough Development Group. Huw Thomas who acted for Admiral in the negotiations commented, "We have undergone a very thorough exercise to procure a quality building in the right location which will allow Admiral to grow their business in Newport and at the same time should have a very positive impact on the regeneration of the city centre."

Newport Unlimited - Urban Regeneration Company