Newport Council has finally addressed the increase in retail closures at Friars Walk.

The local authority confirmed to the Argus on Tuesday, April 28 that while the shutting down of any enterprise is unfortunate, this situation extends beyond Newport alone.

In comments provided to the newspaper, the council stated that business closures occur for numerous reasons, such as proprietors reaching retirement age or companies making decisions at a national level. The statement noted that significant closures have been happening across numerous other towns and cities throughout the country, not just in Newport.

The authority added that although it endeavors to provide assistance, consumer purchasing patterns have fundamentally shifted.

The council explained that it lacks jurisdiction over business rates, utility costs, national insurance contributions, or wage standards. It has nevertheless provided financial assistance to traders through specialised rate relief initiatives that are particular to Newport and grant programmes aimed primarily at small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the city centre.

While retail continues to hold significance for the city centre, the statement acknowledged that contemporary shopping habits and leisure preferences have evolved considerably.

With this background in mind, the Argus sought out residents to gauge their perspectives on how the city is transforming, both regarding retail and broader aspects, and whether they consider the council’s efforts sufficient.

Malcolm Tadman and Elsie Tadman, both 83 years old, have spent their entire lives in Newport. They expressed that this is not the Newport they recognise.

Malcolm commented that he will turn 84 in October and has resided in the city his entire life, but it has deteriorated, in his view. He observed that young people are now stabbing one another, which was unheard of during his childhood. He noted that their household is located near Caerleon Road, where in previous decades one could leave the front door unlocked without concern, which is no longer possible.

Regarding Friars Walk and the wider city, Malcolm observed that it is declining and that Newport should never have been granted city status. He also mentioned that the area lacks a cinema.

Elsie remarked that shops have vanished and the streets are deserted. She stated that it no longer resembles the Newport they once knew and that the council offers no assistance, with half the shops having shut down this year alone. The couple do not drive and travel by bus to Cwmbran because that area offers more options. She expressed that they no longer enjoy Newport as it currently exists and avoid shopping there, describing it as terrible.

Numerous residents believed that the former Debenhams store served as a crucial draw for visitors to the area, and since its shuttering, the city has been left in a state of uncertainty.

Alison Huddleston, 56, stated that for Newport, the loss of Debenhams was significant, as that retailer served as the town’s primary anchor. She noted that the unit now stands vacant and unused. She recalled thinking the centre was excellent when it first opened with all units occupied and busy foot traffic on weekends, but finds the current proliferation of empty storefronts deeply saddening.

Mother and daughter Kerry and Christina Wood offered their thoughts on the situation.

Kerry Wood, 60, observed that occasional events like festivals are welcome, but Debenhams has been closed for several years now. She questioned what proposals exist to occupy that space, even on a temporary basis.

Kerry’s daughter Christina Wood, 36, has been employed at Pandora within Friars Walk for a decade. She reported that staff at the jewellery store have attempted to address their footfall difficulties but have received little indication of support from the centre’s management or the local authority.

Christina explained that she works at Pandora in Friars Walk and has been there ten years. She noted that the area was prosperous when Debenhams operated there and that the coronavirus pandemic provided no assistance, but that this year specifically has seen numerous closures. She mentioned that customers have told her they bypass the location to shop in Cwmbran instead, attracted by complimentary parking and the broader selection of stores available there. She expressed that staff often wish they could relocate Pandora to the Spytty retail park, where free parking and a more appealing mix of shops would generate substantially greater visitor numbers.

Christina noted that concerns have been raised with Friars Walk management but little action has materialised.

Claire Clifton, 44, observed that Newport now offers very little. She suggested that the council needs to adopt a more comprehensive perspective encompassing the entire city, not solely Friars Walk. She asked what Newport currently provides, responding that the options consist essentially of Turkish barbers, nail salons and vape establishments.

Other residents took a more sympathetic stance toward the council and accepted that purchasing habits have evolved significantly over time.

Laurie Spillengs, 68, who was in the town centre with a companion, expressed that she actually enjoys shopping locally. She suggested that closures will likely affect everywhere due to online competition and hoped independent high street retailers would persist, though online options do appear more diverse. She believed the council is doing what it can under the circumstances and that ultimately consumers decide whether to support traditional shops. She noted that at her age she still appreciates browsing physical stores, though younger generations may prefer purchasing online.

The council also emphasised that its city centre placemaking strategy, combined with secured UK Government funding, aims to bolster Newport’s economic prospects moving forward.

The council stated that modern town and city centres must provide more than merely retail outlets, and that the city’s events programme, theatres, dining options, music venues and other social spaces are all contributing to meeting demand and drawing visitors.

The city centre placemaking plan was commissioned by the council but developed following extensive consultation with residents, businesses and other stakeholders. It outlines a range of proposals for the city centre across short, medium and long-term timescales. Some initial measures have already been completed or are under development. The council acknowledged that it cannot revitalise the city centre single-handedly and is collaborating with partners across the private, public and voluntary sectors to achieve the goal of a city centre suited to contemporary consumer expectations.

The UK Government recently announced a £20 million community-driven initiative for the city centre and surrounding areas. A Pride in Place board will be established, comprising community representatives and led by an independent chair, which will formulate a strategy for deploying the funding and preparing a business case for government approval.