A leading city property expert has called on employers and investors to take advantage of the openings created through the £100m Friars Walk investment and other schemes in Newport.

Haydn Thomas, of Hutchings & Thomas Chartered Surveyors, says firm foundations for the future prosperity of the city have been established with the opening of the catalyst retail scheme.

The confidence displayed must now be supported and underpinned with investors and employers taking advantage of the vastly improved retail and residential offerings in Newport which almost over night have soared to new heights from a flat base.

Haydn, based at Lord Tredegar’s former Estates Office in Newport’s prime professional district of Gold Tops, said: “Newport is now well and truly in a position to provide not only a retail and restaurant offer but also now to underpin its economic fortunes with the development of its manufacturing and industrial space.

“For a city to thrive it requires a young and vibrant community and work force and it is hoped that the change in economic fortunes will bring more investors and employers into the city and its hinterlands to sustain the city centre leisure and retail sector.

Haydn points to Wales runaway success story Admiral’s investment in Newport which had done so much to focus attention on the rejuvenated city. The Nato Summit and the Ryder Cup, both staged at Newport's Celtic Manor Resort had also served to reposition and recognise the city.

Haydn said: “The proposed Scarborough development on Cambrian Road is also a welcome scheme with the proposal of 30,000 sq ft of new offices fronting Queensway which again hopefully will attract large occupiers to the city centre reinforcing its economic base.

“The proposed centralisation of the University Campus and its expansion along the River front also brings its own economy with student’s propensity to consume being an important factor in many cities fortunes.”

Read more of what Haydn Thomas has to say about the future of the city in Commercially Speaking on page 3