The Shaping Newport Place Plan, commissioned in 2017 by Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, Newport Business Association and Isle of Wight Council, is relaunching its Place Plan survey after 5 years of continued growth and activity for the town.
Islanders are being asked to share their ideas for new projects that aim to build on and improve the quality of life for Newport residents and visitors alike. The first survey in 2017 received over 2200 responses.
As a result, the partnership was able to identify three key areas of work: Destination, Navigation and Association. A number of activities have since been carried out, including pop-up shops to encourage small business growth and long-term occupancy, the introduction of 1 hour of free parking in three council car parks and a packed programme of events throughout the year that are free to attend and enjoy.
Andrew Tapsell, managing director of Cherry Godfrey and a member of the Newport Business Association said:
“Having been a resident of the Isle of Wight since the 1970s, I was delighted when the opportunity arose to open a business in the heart of Newport.
“I have seen how collaborative working has enabled us to share ideas and expertise, to unlock funding for events and community initiatives and build positive working relationships across the three partner organisations.”
Councillor Andrew Garrett, member for Parkhurst and Hunnyhill and vice chair of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council said:
“The Shaping Newport Place Plan has helped to inform our work over the last 5 years and now is the right time to refresh the profile of Newport; to understand how our residents and visitors feel about the town and to help shape our future priorities.
Article continues below this advertisement “We are keen to continue to develop this partnership approach, working together on shared goals and making positive steps forward for our town and community.”
Upcoming activity to look out for is a number of new shopfronts, with work taking place on the first three properties in early summer thanks to shopfront grants from Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone project.
Islanders can have their say here
Newport? Capital town with NO Post Office.
Talking about quality of life, shouldn’t they be focusing on road safety projects in that town centre.
Re shaping, it would be advisable to flatten it and start agin
Must admit this was my first thought.
Clear the whole lot and make it into a beautiful woodland with lakes.
Hahaha! They won’t take any notice!
Exactly!! Waste of time because they never listen to public opinion, infact, I expect all the decisions have already been made and this little exercise is just ticking one of the boxes along the way.
Whatever they put forward, don’t bother closing any roads off without a viable alternative. There is no by pass for large vehicles and the rest needs sorting before anything else. While we are about it, how long does it take to sort out that ludicrous set of lights on South Street outside Morrisons. They have been up the wall for months now.
Priorities…sort the traffic first!
Get a proper road from Staplers to Asda as well, that would make a good start on by passing Newport.
Secondly, don’t hold your breath as you can’t go that long without oxygen.
15 minute city / congestion charge will be next for Newport.
Agree ,,, and that will put the nail in the coffin for any business there
Sadly I can see it happening.
How about making it an attractive proposition for shops to open there, somewhat like other towns seem to have some success at. I realise this is totally untested territory for Newport, but worth a try I think. You never know, they may even be able to create a job or two.
Bring back a good outside air market,I remember the one at coppings bridge
Here’s my idea for Newport. Lower Council tax and free for 2 years for new local businesses .
Have a limit for rents charged and free parki8ng every ware for two hours. There ,that took a lot of thought.