A third prominent shop has shut its doors at Friars Walk, dealing another blow to Newport’s struggling high street. Signs indicating a shutdown have appeared at the Shoe Zone outlet in the shopping centre.

The footwear chain’s premises at Unit 1, John Frost Square, are currently showing prominent warehouse closure notices in their windows.

This development represents yet another setback for Newport’s city centre retail sector.

Despite the visible closure notices, employees at the Friars Walk branch informed our reporter that the actual retail premises remains open, with only the distribution warehouse ceasing operations.

Nevertheless, the company has previously shuttered another Newport location, having closed its Kingsway Shopping Centre branch back in 2021. The nearest alternative branch now operates from Gwent Square in Cwmbran.

The warehouse shutdown occurs against a backdrop of mounting difficulties for Shoe Zone, which has already experienced considerable downsizing in recent years.

The Leicester-headquartered retailer shut 39 outlets during 2025 as revenues declined by 7.6 percent.

Company executives have previously linked these difficulties to sustained price increases, elevated borrowing costs, and diminished purchasing power following the UK Government’s October 2024 financial statement.

More recently, Shoe Zone has cautioned that worldwide instability, including the continuing Middle East tensions involving Iran, is placing additional strain on operations. Management noted it was facing pressure from the conflict, citing demanding business conditions connected to subdued shopper sentiment.

The business, which maintains 259 outlets, also indicated that the regional conflict was driving up expenses including freight and logistics, which would affect profitability.

The news of these recent closures has resonated throughout Newport, with both M&S and River Island revealing plans to shut their local branches earlier this month.

These announcements have contributed to mounting worries regarding the evolving retail environment in the city.