Following a raft of new openings at Friars Walk and around the city centre, Business Argus has asked the local business community what they would now like to see coming to city...

Ashley Harkus, managing partner, Everett Tomlin Lloyd and Pratt solicitors

In recent months there has been a huge improvement in the range of shopping, restaurants and leisure available in the city centre and this has to be a good thing. Moving forward I’d like to see fewer empty units, Chartist Tower being fully let, more independent restaurants, some bookshops, a full size M&S (they never should have left) and above all a huge and well-stocked Greggs in Goldtops (preferably with a covered walkway from my office).

Dan Smith, Director, M4 Property Consultants, Newport

We think Newport would benefit significantly from more office accommodation in the city centre. Lots of the uppers floors around are city centre are wasted and could provide, good quality, quirky, unique offices with the right investment. We also need some larger new build offices in the city centre for larger companies who are seeking more modern, open plan accommodation to meet their needs. If we don’t provide this companies and jobs will go elsewhere. The added benefit of more offices is more workers who would shop, eat and undertake leisure activities in the city centre and make it a much more vibrant city centre.

Robin Hall, managing director, Kymin

Six months on and the success of Friar’s Walk is still attracting new retail and other businesses to the city centre. We have at last now a great range of both independent and chain, restaurants, coffee shops as well as bars in the city centre, not only in Friars Walk but in and around High Street. Retail wise it would be great to see an upmarket stationers in the city centre such as Paperchase but at the top of the list would have to be John Lewis even if it was on a smaller scale than their normal stores.

Kate Richards, Territory Manager, Budget Vets, Newport

I personally would like to see a dog park. Cardiff and Bridgend have indoor dog park facilities called Action Petz which are not only proving to be beneficial to your everyday dog owner but also a brilliant service for our local rescue charities, such as Hope Rescue who are able to use the facilities to train, socialise and assess new dogs they’ve taken on in a safe environment.

John Newell, Director, Kingston Newell Estate Agents

Newport is a city that is certainly beginning to attract more businesses and has a new found vibrancy. It’s popularity has increased among home buyers and property investors which in turn has contributed to an increase of 4.1 per cent over the last year in house prices according to the latest Land Registry House Price Index and we anticipate a further increase to the month on month figures as we enter the traditionally busiest time of the year for house sales. Much has been spoken and reported about the proposed M4 relief road but little about improving the access routes in and out of Newport. Our customers regularly comment about how major arterial routes especially in the north and west of the city where Forge Lane, the Tredegar Park roundabout and Cardiff Road often resemble car parks during the rush hour. As these areas become increasingly popular, we would welcome investment in improving the infrastructure in these areas to accommodate for the extra traffic and ease commuters frustrations.