News

Market Arcade

Posted on Thursday 28th April 2016

Newport City Council is aware of the recent public interest in the city's Market Arcade, and can confirm it has already been working for several months to try and find a solution to the issues present at this location.

Over a number of years, the council has attempted to find ways of improving Market Arcade, but it has proved problematic because the properties are owned by numerous private individuals, some of whom do not live in the city and have been difficult to engage with.

However, discussions have been held recently with a few of the owners who are willing to work with the council on improving the arcade. Council officers wrote to all landlords and tenants in February and held a meeting last week to discuss how all parties might work together to help improve the arcade.

Councillor John Richards, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Investment, said: "I have shared the concerns and frustrations of residents and businesses over the condition of Market Arcade but it has proved extremely problematic.

""In the past, the council has tried to deal with the arcade in its entirety but this proved impossible because of the sheer scale of the project and multiplicity of owners and leaseholders involved'.

"However, I am extremely pleased to hear that a number of parties with interests in the Arcade are now in dialogue with officers of the council and have agreed to work together to sustain it.

"Support may be available to assist property owners that are struggling to maintain and let their properties. Seeing Market Arcade fully utilised would also make it a more pleasant environment for visitors and other businesses in the city centre.

"I hope this will encourage the other owners to come forward and work with the council.

"I would also like to commend the public-spiritedness of individuals who have expressed a desire to improve Market Arcade, but they should be aware there could be legal and practical issues if they carry out work on other people's property without permission, particularly given the age of the listed properties, unique construction challenges, and relative state of disrepair.

"The fundraisers have not yet contacted the council, and I would urge them to get in touch with our regeneration team before taking any further action."

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