Newport Schemes - Completed
A new railway station, a world-class award-winning university campus, state-of-the-art business premises, riverfront housing developments, iconic architecture and modern Friars Walk Shopping Centre have been delivered through our ongoing plans to regenerate and enhance the city centre offer with the aim to create the conditions that support future investment and transformation.
In 2017 Newport city council successfully concluded its £22m Welsh Government-funded Vibrant and Viable Places (VVP) programme, the largest such programme in Wales, transforming vacant and landmark city centre buildings into attractive new accommodation and business space. Among the many schemes completed through the programme was the £11m flagship Central View scheme. This scheme delivered 38 high-quality apartments including communal spaces, rooftop gardens, under croft parking for residents and ground floor commercial unit in the city centre. Working in partnership with a South Wales based housing association and completed in 2020, the final development exemplifies how underperforming areas of the city centre can be rejuvenated through key investments and partnership working.
External investment attracted through VVP totalled £45m, with a total investment of £60m. In conjunction with the Friars Walk redevelopment, completed in 2015, regeneration schemes have brought nearly 1600 jobs to the City Centre, plus many more opportunities for training and skills development.
Within the commercial core of the city centre a Business Improvement District (BID) has been in operation since 2015. The initiative, called Newport Now has implemented a programme of business-led improvements across key areas to drive positive change.
Outside of the city centre a number of schemes brought forward in key commercial sites have delivered significant investment in areas of strategic value and opportunity in emerging industries.
International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW) – The ICCW, catering for more than 5,000 delegates, has been built on the site of the five-star Celtic Manor Resort.
Since opening in 2019, ICCW has quickly gained a national and international reputation for the quality of its facilities, service, and hospitality. It is the only venue of its size and type west of London and south of Birmingham, and has been a driving force in enhancing Wales’ wider reputation as a destination for hosting events. This major visitor destination expects to create demand for an additional 100,000 bedroom nights in the region per year.
IQE Foundry- IQE’s new mega foundry in Newport was secured in partnership with the Cardiff Capital Region, supported by both Welsh and UK governments. It represents the creation of the world’s first semiconductor cluster in south wales and is and is expected to leverage further investment sector to creating up to 2,000 high skilled jobs with further job creation throughout the supply chain.
Celtic Business Park – located on the former Llanwen Steel Works site the business park is being completed in phases and is currently home to Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) – CAF who have invested £30m in a new factory at Celtic Business Park in Newport, creating up to 300 new jobs. The 46,000 sqm factory is located next to a proposed new rail station and park and ride facility at Llanwern. Construction of the factory at the Celtic Business Park is complete, and manufactures high speed trains, diesel and electric trains, and light rail trams which will be supplied to operators across the UK. Amazon UK Services Ltd also occupy the site which is well connected to operate as a logistical hub.
A new concept for Newport Market - Europe’s largest indoor market - began in 2018 and was developed in partnership with Loft Co. This impressive Victorian Grade II listed building, re-opened in March 2022 following a £12 million refurbishment and renovation. The award-winning market is now home to 35 small business retail units, 10 street food vendors and 75 offices, as well as a 250-person event space and multiple bars – making it a perfect place to explore, meet, eat, drink and shop. Existing office space has been refurbished alongside the creation of new workspaces on the mezzanine floor for incubation, start-up, and collaborative businesses. Newport Market prides itself on being the hub in Newport City Centre.
Chartist Tower – the tallest building in the city centre has been redeveloped into the new Mercure hotel, with over 11,000 sq m of office space, ground floor retail and a restaurant. This high quality development has been made possible through public and private partnership and is linked to increased demand for bed spaces generated by the International Convention Centre Wales.
We want to continue building on success and make Newport one of the UK’s top cities. We are working hard to reshape our city and believe that with the right kinds of intervention and the combined power of both public and private investment we can make this happen.
Email business.services@newport.gov.uk or telephone (01633) 656656 to discuss your business needs