The Big Question: Are you looking forward to the opening of Friars Walk?

Jason Williams, store director of Specsavers in Newport

It’s certainly an exciting time as Newport gears up to open Friars Walk, and with the list of household restaurants and retailers already signed up, the development is undoubtedly going to be an asset to the city and to the south Wales region. I think the number of well-known restaurants coming is particularly positive as families have access to shops, good food and an eight-screen cinema, all in one complex, which makes a complete leisure package and not just a retail experience. The November opening ties in with Specsavers’ relocation from High Street to Austin Friars, which is just a short walk from the main Friars Walk development and an exciting part of town to be moving to. As a business owner in Newport, I am passionate about supporting initiatives that will bolster the city’s reputation and offering to its community and am confident that the arrival of Friars Walk will drive footfall and general interest in the city itself.

Fiona Weaver, of Hutchings & Thomas Chartered Surveyors

There certainly is a lot to get excited about. In fact it is difficult to choose the one that gets my vote but I have to plump for Le Bistrot Pierre-memories of Summers spent in France savouring the fine food and wine-and I am confident that the restaurant in Friars Walk will match the reputation already built up in Cardiff. Why go there when there is now one on our doorstep? The variety of good eating places and leisure venues is astonishing - Loungers, Las Iguanas and Cineworld - to name but a few will restore Newport to the vibrant scene it once was.

Tania Ansell of St David’s Hospice Care

St David’s Hospice Care is looking forward to Newport becoming a thriving city again, where independents can benefit from a strong footfall and large retailers will be drawn back to Newport. With the Admiral City of Newport Half Marathon taking place again in March 2016 we are hoping it will draw many more people to come and take part and explore what Newport has to offer.

Az Ashraf , A2Z Computing

We should see Newport’s vibrant life back into the town centre. I understand the night life is now different, we have moved from the night club scene to having food halls and cinema all going to make a major difference. Backed with the safe security for evenings, will give people piece of mind in the evenings. Later on as the bowling complex comes into play, we should see more foot fall arriving into Newport. Eventually as the convention centre is built near Junction 24, more and more hotels are popping up, in the town centre, the new Friars Walk will become a hub of activity. This should be good all areas around Newport and Newport itself.

Maria Larcombe, Director of Operations (South), Acorn

I’m looking forward to seeing how Friars Walk will benefit Newport as a city, it’s people and the local economy – if we look at any successful city in the UK, a vibrant shopping development often plays a vital part to its growth. You could say, it’s an extremely good time to be working in Newport - the jobs that have been created cover a variety of skill-sets and levels with employment opportunities starting at entry-level, with other jobs requiring more experienced staff for different supervisory and management roles. It’s important to note that the opening of Friars Walk is a great opportunity for the region and will provide an economic boost to many households and businesses generally, while simultaneously helping to re-vitalise the city centre.

Clive Thomas, managing partner of Watkins & Gunn Solicitors

I have been banging on about there being something like this in Newport for years - so I am delighted that it is finally arriving! I think it is hugely important for Newport city centre. I remember when all the transport links to Newport were improved in advance of the Ryder Cup - but the city centre had very little to offer once you got there. Now there will be plenty of top retail and food outlets to choose from. It is a great opportunity for Newport, but I hope the changes are dealt with empathy and sympathy. My firm was involved in providing a soup kitchen for the homeless people in Newport last week and it was very sad to see how many sleep rough on our streets with no option to get back into the system - due to their nationality or having previously 'burned their bridges'. I note that there is an intention by the council to clear the homeless from the streets with the advent of Friars Walk, but I would like to see it go further than that and proper provisions being made for these unfortunate people, together with support given to the various agencies and charities who help homeless people such as the Wallich.

Kate Richards, Territory Manager, Budget Vets

I personally am looking forward to TGI Fridays opening in the new Newport complex. I love TGI but don’t go very often, now it’s going to be on my doorstep. As a team we do have several nights out which are usually in Cardiff but with more places opening in Newport where we can go on nights out it is far more convenient for us all as we often go straight from work. We also hold various lunch meetings that are always at the same place so it will be nice to have a variety of places to choose from, with the two hours free parking it’s a win - win.

Budget Vets will definitely be using the new services!