## Newport Residents Voice Frustration Over Millions Spent on Friars Walk Shopping Centre
Public debate in Newport has intensified following revelations that the city’s Friars Walk shopping centre has depended on substantial financial backing from local taxpayers, with over £3.5 million funnelled into the centre over an eight-year span. The recent figures, secured through the Local Democracy Reporting Service, highlight that Newport City Council has approved subsidies reaching up to £500,000 annually across six consecutive years to support the retail complex.
This ongoing investment, intended to prop up declining retail performance and stimulate regeneration in Newport’s city centre, has polarised political leaders and members of the public alike. Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport’s Conservative group, vocally condemned the strategy, describing himself as “absolutely staggered that the council has squandered over £3.5 million of local taxpayers’ money on this”. Councillor Evans further contended that these funds could have been redirected to essential services, like road maintenance or social care, instead of what he referred to as an “insurance policy that would never be called on”.
Conversely, representatives from Newport City Council offered a robust defence of the policy, explaining that the original agreement secured £8 million and limited future yearly council contributions, with a cap of £7.5 million in extra support for the shopping centre. They emphasised that rental subsidies were balanced by schemes enabling the council to benefit from additional rent if the centre’s profits surpassed certain thresholds. “It is important to note that, as well as the rental subsidy, the arrangement ensures that the council receives additional rent payments if the centre’s profits exceed certain thresholds,” a spokesperson confirmed.
Despite reassurances from the council, the news triggered an outpouring of criticism from residents and commentators on social media and local forums. Some, like user “Reportthisnow”, argued that the council is prolonging the inevitable decline of city centre retail rather than addressing root causes. The user described council interventions as “long-term dependency”, warning that superficial refurbishments, such as the partial reopening of the former Debenhams site, offer little hope of reversing the broader trend of stagnation and retailer departures.
Other commenters echoed the sentiment of frustration, pointing to rising business rates and dwindling footfall as primary causes behind the struggles of Friars Walk and Newport’s high street more generally. One contributor lamented the quality and presentation within the newly repurposed Debenhams store, likening it to a “car boot sale”, while expressing concern over inflated prices compared with national discount chains.
There has also been a wider contextual debate about the future of city centres in an era of digital retailing and rising online shopping. Some Newport locals called for an honest discussion about the role of traditional retail, suggesting local authorities are “throwing millions at city centres [and] merely preventing the inevitable”. “Almost every city centre in the UK is in decline,” shared another. The consensus among these voices is that both local and national governments need to acknowledge broader shifts in consumer behaviour and prioritise adaptation over continued subsidies.
Still, not all responses were critical of the council’s approach. Several commenters reminded others that in-person shops are crucial for many individuals who lack access to digital payment options or rely on cash-based transactions. This viewpoint gained recent urgency during widespread power outages, reinforcing arguments for a retail infrastructure that serves the full diversity of the population.
Criticism also extended to the perceived winners and losers of the original Friars Walk development. Some Newport residents argued that while private developers and landlords profited initially, it has been left to the council and taxpayers to shoulder the ongoing costs of maintaining an increasingly empty centre through rental subsidies.
Ultimately, the debate around Friars Walk exposes a crossroads for Newport’s city centre. The differing perspectives highlight a fundamental tension between short-term measures to support the town’s retail hub and the longer-term question of how best to respond to a changing economic landscape for high streets nationwide. As the future of Friars Walk hangs in the balance, Newport faces a challenging decision: persist with costly support or reimagine its city centre for a digital age. The conversation, both in council chambers and on the streets, shows little sign of abating as residents grapple with what lies ahead.