Economic Investment in Newport

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd at 2:24 pm on 11 May 2022.

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Photo of Jayne Bryant Jayne Bryant Labour 2:24, 11 May 2022

Diolch, Llywydd. In Newport, we've just seen Europe's biggest indoor market regeneration project, led by Simon Baston of LoftCo, a grade II listed building that first opened in 1854, and which is, once again, thriving in its new lease of life. Alongside other city centre developments, such as the Chartist Tower's new Mercure hotel, which is due to open very shortly, the old Royal Mail sorting office, the market arcade, and a new-build leisure centre on the way, there's really a lot to look forward to. These are all exciting projects led by a Labour council—a Labour council that understands that a reliance on retail alone can no longer be the only way forward, and a Labour council that has just been unanimously re-elected. Newport is proud of our rich cultural, arts and sports scene, and events like the Ffoto gallery's exhibition on Saturday, with renowned photographer David Hurn, helped to bring people into our city centre. I can assure all Members that, as someone who was in the city centre, I could see that it was thriving. Minister, what is the Welsh Government doing to build on and support the current plans of reinvigorating Newport city centre, and how can we tap into the economic benefits through improving Newport's unique cultural and historical offer?