Proposals could see popular Newport pub The John Wallace Linton being moved to new location

The John Wallace Linton is currently housed in part of the old Cambrian Centre close to Newport railway station.

But developers Scarborough, who are looking at plans for phase two of the Station Quarter development, want to build an office block and retail/food units on the corner where the pub currently sits.

At a public exhibition of the proposals a spokeswoman for Scarborough, who were also responsible for the Admiral building on the site, said that there were currently two options for the site.

One was for the Wetherspoons to be moved to a new location and the building demolished to make way for the new building. The other was for the building housing the John Wallace Linton to remain where it was with the new office development being built above and around it.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon told Business Argus: “Our intention is for the pub to remain where it is."

Scarborough Development Group's new scheme to redevelop the site surrounding the newly-completed public plaza and Admiral House will include 14,000 sq ft of retail, restaurant and café space with up to 40,000 sq ft of office space spread above over up to five floors.

The scheme’s frontage will be modern and attractive, reflecting the style of the neighbouring Admiral building while being sympathetic to the surrounding architecture.

Ground floor space will be designated for restaurant, café or retail uses, with offices above. The scheme will complement the high standard finishes of Admiral House and the public plaza.

Due to its prime-location, next to existing office space and opposite Newport’s busy railway station, developers believe the scheme is ideally positioned to positively contribute to the wider resurgence of Newport city centre.

The urban courtyard environment provided by the plaza will provide a modern external space for occupiers of both office buildings.

This is the second phase of a regenerative scheme to transform the site.

Phase one saw a £30m development which included 80,000 sq ft of office space for Admiral with the capacity to accommodate 1,200 staff on flexible shift work patterns, as well as 28,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space including shops and a gym, parking for 290 cars and the new public plaza.

As well as the new Admiral House building, the construction of Newport’s new retail and leisure scheme Friars Walk shows that there’s an appetite for development of this kind in Newport City Centre and the scheme is set to breathe more life in to the area.

Kate Howe, associate director at SDG, said: “Following the success of Admiral House, we believe there’s still a great demand for high-quality office space in Newport which we’re keen to meet.

"We are confident that modern and attractive office space, accompanied with the possibility of retail, restaurant or café elements would unlock this area and create a bustling space which the local community can enjoy.

"The addition of high specification office accommodation at the heart of the city centre will benefit Newport’s wider regeneration, support its economic growth and provide linkage from the town centre through to the station area.”