Retail Core
Newport’s Commercial Core consists of an area extending from the market in the north to the southern end of the Kingsway Centre. It encompasses Commercial Street and the areas immediately adjacent to John Frost Square. Market Street and Commercial Street are of high architectural quality although Market Street and the southern section of Commercial Street exhibit an air of neglect. The heart of Commercial Street has a high quality environment and is vibrant during the day. John Frost Square and Upper Dock Street area are poor pedestrian environments although good examples of public art punctuate the streetscape. Crucially, the area does not extend to the Riverside. The bus station and car parks are in poor condition and have a bad image with users.
The Vision:
Newport’s Commercial Core will be strengthened and expanded. Vacant space above existing shops will be renovated to provide new office and City Centre Living for new residents and students. Opportunities for retail of the highest standards will be created and the redevelopment and improvement of the Kingsway Centre will be promoted.
Mixed-use development will integrate into the existing urban fabric with housing, office and leisure uses over shops. New sites for anchor stores will be identified that maximise the benefit for City Centre retail operators as a whole. Improved retail development will be encouraged around John Frost Square.
The Urban Edge along Kingsway Boulevard will be strengthened with residential, office, hotel, civic and academic buildings fronting the street. Active uses along the Kingsway will enliven the new street frontage.
The existing ‘mall’ environment of Kingsway Centre will be improved. In the long term, redevelopment opportunities will be investigated including the opportunity to transform the existing indoor environment into an extension of the outdoor retail environment of the City Centre.
Kingsway Shopping Centre
UBS, the owners of the Kingsway Centre, are already implementing a major £20 million refurbishment of their existing shopping mall in the City Centre.
The existing 'mall' environment of the Kingsway Centre will be transformed.
The derelict car park was demolished in August 2006 and will be replaced through the construction of a new high quality car park for 1,400 cars in total. Work has already started on site with the first phase expected to open in 2009.
Boulevarding of Uskway, Kingsway and Queensway
‘Boulevarding’ and traffic calming of the existing Uskway, Kingsway and Queensway dual carriageways started in May 2006 and was substantially completed by April 2008.
The project includes improvements to pedestrian facilities in the City Centre and pedestrian crossings.
Road works to Emlyn Street have been undertaken to enable the future pedestrianisation of part of Kingsway outside the Leisure Centre and to provide access to the new car park from Uskway and Kingsway.
Latest News:
New multi-storey car park is well underway and expected to complete March 2009.
New main entrance fronting John Frost Square is complete and open to the public.
Fountains on Usk Plaza, leading on to the Newport City Footbridge, are now operational.
Download the Commercial Core Information Sheet
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