Plans have been submitted to convert a former dental practice in Newport into a coffee shop.

The scheme proposes altering the ground floor use at 53-55 Gaer Road from a dental surgery to a café.

The submission, made by Rebecca Ostuni of Ostuni Ltd, details plans to transform the 161.13 square metre property into a space featuring customer seating, a service counter, storage rooms, and an accessible toilet with baby changing equipment.

External changes to the property are not included in the plans.

The establishment, which would trade under the Ostuni name, would occupy the building located across from the local community centre and youth club, alongside the Gaer Inn.

If given the go-ahead, trading hours would be 9am to 4pm on weekdays and Saturdays, with Sunday and bank holiday opening from 10am to 4pm.

The café would provide jobs for two full-time and four part-time workers, totalling four full-time equivalents.

This represents a small decrease from the six workers (five full-time equivalents) previously employed at the dental practice.

The application, prepared by Dudley Hill of Keystone Structural Engineering, indicates no construction work or modifications to car or foot access are intended.

The location does not sit within a flood-risk zone, and rainwater would drain into the public sewerage system.

No dangerous materials are included in the proposals.

The property currently stands empty, following the closure of the dental practice on May 7, 2026.

The submission notes that no consultation with nearby residents or the local community has been conducted.

Should approval be granted, the café would represent another retail outlet for Ostuni, a family business headquartered in Newport.

The company focuses on freshly prepared dishes drawing on Italian heritage and additionally provides catering services, cakes, and food for events.

Ostuni already runs a café and bakery within Newport Market.

The business also operates a café at 312 Heathwood Road, Cardiff, which launched in August 2023.

The Newport Market location serves as the business’s first site.

The potential new Gaer Road venture forms part of the company’s growth plans as it seeks to bring the vacant former dental practice back into use.

Newport City Council is now considering the planning application.