Friars Walk

Friars Walk opening 12Nov2015

Friars Walk is a major shopping and leisure scheme in Newport city centre with more than 36,230 square metres of retail and leisure space including a cinema, shops, restaurants, car park and bus station.

The development of Friars Walk has increased Newport's catchment from 211,000 to 367,000 with an estimated footfall of 10-12 million per annum (Source: Javelin/DTZ).

This will double retail sales in the city adding £100 million per annum.

Opening day

Friars Walk opened 12 November 2015 attracting 350,000 visitors over the first weekend.

Key retailers in Friars Walk include Next, Topshop, New Look, River Island and H&M.

Popular restaurants Nando’s, Las Iguanas, Bistro Pierre, Prezzo, Zizzo, Wagamama and Drago Lounge are situated close to the Cineworld cinema. 

Friars Walk has been designed to encourage shoppers to flow into Commercial Street and the surrounding retail areas.

A new square links Friars Walk to the riverfront, the University of South Wales and the iconic footbridge.

There is a 350 space car park and bus station.

Visit Friar’s Walk website for further information.

Timescale

  • Newport City Council appointed developers Queensberry Real Estate in 2010
  • In December 2013, the council agreed to lend Queensberry Real Estate £90 million in a commercial deal to ensure the development could be delivered on time
  • Demolition of John Frost Square began in 2014
  • Construction began the first week of April 2014 and a topping out ceremony was held 11 December 2014
  • An archaeological investigation was carried out to locate any historic buildings on the site. Remains were found exactly where expected and have been recorded and protected
  • 12 November 2015 - Friars Walk opens