Newport’s newest retail park is beginning to look the part as it moves closer to completion, with a large sign now in place showcasing the 6 big-name businesses preparing to open their doors.
The latest visible milestone at the former Newport IW FC ground off St George’s Way comes as construction continues at pace ahead of the development welcoming shoppers later this year.
Aldi, B&M, McDonald’s, Costa Coffee, Wren Kitchens and Superdrug are all displayed on the newly erected sign, giving Islanders passing the site a glimpse of what the finished retail park will offer.
The sign also displays the name ‘Newport Retail Park’. It had previously been thought that the development would be known as St George’s Retail Park.
As previously reported by Island Echo, B&M and Superdrug were the final 2 retailers to be confirmed for the site, joining Aldi, Wren Kitchens, Costa Coffee and McDonald’s.
The unit now destined for Superdrug had originally been earmarked for Hobbycraft, suggesting hopes of bringing the arts and crafts retailer to the Isle of Wight for the first time have been shelved.
Questions remain over what the arrival of B&M and Superdrug at Newport Retail Park will mean for the brands’ existing Newport High Street stores.
It remains unclear whether B&M intends to relocate from its existing store in the former BHS building or continue operating 2 Isle of Wight branches. Likewise, there has been no indication as to whether Superdrug will retain its current Newport town centre store.
Should both retailers move out of the High Street, it would leave 2 more prominent retail units vacant in Newport town centre.
No official opening date has yet been announced – although shoppers should expect to be heading to Newport Retail Park by December.
All of which we already have….?!
More stuff we already have and don’t need more of. What an absolute waste of money and resources. No wonder no one comes to the island anymore.
probably because of individuals like you
Or more likely because there’s absolutely nothing here for them. Woo let’s all go to B&M, then walk 5 minutes down the road to another B&M… it’s sad to see what was once a very attractive place to live and visit turn out this way. Anyone who sees this as anything but a failure for the island needs to give their head a wobble
Why pay extortionate ferry fares when that money
could go towards accommodation costs in
Dorset, Devon or Cornwall.
I know where I would choose to go.
“NEW SIGN MARKS LATEST MILESTONE FOR NEWPORT”Should that not be MILLSTONE?
“B&M and Superdrug were the final 2 retailers to be confirmed for the site, joining Aldi, Wren Kitchens, Costa Coffee and McDonald’s.”
Wow! What a selection!
No doubt B&M and Superdrug will be closing in the High Street leaving 2 more empty shops.
Wren Kitchens? Really?
Such a shame, in it’s day Newport was a nice place to
shop.
It all changed years ago when the market wrapped up.
What is the point of having another McDonald’s. These so called restaurants should be banned or very heavily taxed. Waste of time and money for absolutely nothing good.
They are a burden on the NHS and benefits system.
Will McDonalds keep the Newport Town Centre cafe open?
They should close it down,that will stop the numpties
hanging outside vaping when they finish school.
It makes one wonder what type of parents these teens have.
The mind boggles.
They would lose so much revenue closing it, I would be shocked if they did. It’s probably the best location in Newport as its dead center.
Let’s hope not. Closing it might help to curb the anti-social behaviour around the bus station – yay!
This is a disaster for Newport . A Massive nail in the coffin for Newport High Street. I hope Hobbycraft take one of the large empty shops that this ill thought out development will be be responsible for.
The council need to get a grip and take action to restore our High Streets with proper local shops. No more mini marts and fast food outlets. No more alcohol licences.
Newport High Street looks very sad indeed
I read that Hobbycraft will not be opening a shop there which is such a shame.
Maybe they could not pay the high price of a shop there. The main problem with these sites is the free parking and Newport suffers with little or no parking other than Morrisons or M&S
That is so true.
High streets becoming ghost towns has been going on for over a decade and brought about solely by the council squuezing ever drop of business rates out of shops, then reducing parking , then making parking that is available so expensive that simple maths tells you the same item online is cheaper than the cost of parking and buying it on the high street.
Typical councillors.
The council does not own the site it is whoever owns the site that sets the price.
Price or ownership has nothing to do with my comment. Council approval is needed. Hence my comment.
As far as I am aware the planning permission only agrees on the shop sites not who move into them that is upto the owners of the site.
6 big names
Lol.
How long before one closes down or becomes a charity shop.
An IKEA would have been a positive decision. No more expensive ferry fares to Southampton. A different choice for Islanders. Great employment opportunities. A great cafe for a cheap breakfast, with discounted meals too.
A Primark would have been a hit.
Fully agree, or some different types of food establishments.
In the beginning of this development we were going to get a Wicks DIY store. Such a shame they never came, b&q need some competition.
Primark would have been welcome
Wow, what a classy selection of retail outlets!
Nothing like raising the bar for Newport.
I know I’m daydreaming but it would be nice to have a central Farmers’ Market, with places to buy real food. Maybe a shop selling second hand furniture and antiques and basketware, and real cafes where people can sit and chat in a civilised manner.
At a cost twice you would pay in a supermarket, all for supporting farmers but not at the cost of my wallet.
What could have been an exciting unveiling for this new retail park is instead going to be a waste of time,resources and money as we already have these things over here. Yay lets make the high street barren so it looks abandoned and closed!! Hobbycraft would of been exciting same goes for something new that we don’t currently have. Whatever idiot approved this should not be in charge because why would we want to stay on an island with expensive ferry prices to leave it and the same old shops just jumping from one building to the next. Fine they want to add a couple stores we already had like theres no aldi in newport but the retail park is mainly just going to be an eyesore thanks but no thanks…
What a load of crap ..Wren crap md crap costa even more crap..
Perhaps the Council would like to engage in a little transparency and reveal how much extra revenue they will receive from these larger stores
a also how many extra car journeys will result from the facility being out of town.