Concern has been expressed about the future of Commercial Street this week. The City's main shopping street, home to most of the main high street names is expected to be hit by defections to Friar's Walk, the new shopping mall. According to details released by Modus , the developer behind the new centre, Friar's Walk will incorporate new stores from Marks and Spencer, River Island, Next, JJB and New Look, all occupiers of stores in Commercial Street. The City Council's Development and Employment Committee considered the Council's Economic Development Strategy this week and despite the major successes being enjoyed by the city identified the relocation of businesses and the negative impact upon Commercial Street as an area of concern. Peter James, managing director of family firm Wildings Ltd, which own the department store on Commercial Street has previously warned that the area may be affected if major stores are tempted away to Friar's Walk and could become a street of mainly banks and other financial institutions. Newport Unlimited argue that the schemes being introduced will substantially increase the number of visitors and shoppers to the city increasing footfall in Commercial Street. It remains to be seen how many retailers will move out of Commercial Street and whether stores vacated will be attractive to other retailers.
While Modus is making great strides in attracting retailers to Friar's Walk the same cannot be said for UBS the owners of the Kingsway Centre. So far a massive new Wilkinson store and relocated units for Jessops and Claire's Accessories are the only lettings alongside existing retailers such as Top Shop and Woolworths. The remodelling of the Kingsway Centre will not be complete for a further six months and will include a substantially extended Peacocks clothing store. "It's a re-speccing of units, with a new roof and walls being knocked out. It's a fairly fundamental change – not just a lick of paint," Newport Unlimited chief executive John Burrows recently told Retail Week magazine.
CONCERN ABOUT FUTURE OF COMMERCIAL STREET
LORRY DRIVER WHO FELL ASLEEP AT WHEEL JAILED FOR CAUSING FATAL CRASH
A lorry driver who fell asleep at the wheel and ploughed into a car, killing a man and seriously injuring his wife, was yesterday jailed for 10 months and banned from driving for three years. Hayden Bailey, 54 from Newport was returning from delivering bread in Chippenham when the incident happened on April 13 last year.
Dan Williams, prosecuting, told Cardiff crown court that Bailey was driving along the A48 Eastern Avenue in Cardiff when his 18-tonne lorry hit a nearside crash barrier, and veered across two lanes and through the central reservation. It collided with a car driven by Leonard Nicholls, 69, of Cyncoed, who was driving his wife, Evelyn, 68, to a garden centre. An ambulance was called, but Nicholls had suffered multiple injuries and died at the scene. His wife also suffered serious injuries. Bailey pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.Ian Dixie, defending, said Bailey was sincerely sorry. "The terrible irony is that his own father died from a road accident, which has made him a very careful driver."
ASBO WOMAN WARNED ABOUT FUTURE BEHAVIOUR
A 27-year-old woman has been given an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) banning her from causing a nuisance by slamming doors and ringing doorbells. Sarah Gibbons, of Old Barn Estate was taken to court by Newport City Council for repeated anti-social behaviour dating back to December 2005.Cwmbran magistrates handed her the five-year order with 11 conditions yesterday.As well as being prohibited from repeatedly slamming doors and ringing, knocking or kicking doors, the order bans Gibbons from being drunk and disorderly in public, dropping litter and making noise that disturbs other residents. A Newport City Council spokeswoman stated: “We are pleased that the courts have backed us in our efforts to support and protect the local community".
SCHEMES RECEIVE BACKING
Newport City Council Planning Committee has backed plans for proposed developments to create new housing and boat passenger facilities at Penmaen Wharf and a new Travelodge Hotel on Bridge Street on the site currently occupied by the City Cinema.
