Newport shopping arcade which became eyesore transformed into 'Victorian-style' market hub

Newport city centre's Market Arcade refurbishment is officially finished after two years of work.

Pictures show the beautifully renewed arcade this week after it received a huge injection of cash from the National Lottery Heritage Fund which saved it from its slumber.

The formerly tired and vandalised arcade is now ready to welcome traders, with most of the units now let out and waiting to be filled.

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The Victorian grade II listed structure is the city’s oldest surviving arcade and the second oldest in Wales.

Newport council said the aims of the restoration project are to “reconnect owners, traders and the people of Newport with the historic significance of the arcade and its role in the growth of the city”.

Proprietors which have already moved in include a tattooist, a record store owner, a barber, a photo gallery owner, a camera expert, and a gift seller.

Dean Beddis moved in last month following his drawn out exit from Newport Market. He says he is delighted with the move and impressed by the transformation.

Inside the newly refurbished Newport Market Arcade (Jonathon Hill)

Picture shows the arcade before work began in 2020 (Neil Evans)

Market Arcade in Newport after redevelopment work (Jonathon Hill)

Inside the arcade before refurbishment works began (Neil Evans)

Work officially ended at the arcade on Friday (Jonathon Hill)

Dean has been in Newport selling records since the seventies and owns his own business Kriminal Records.

“I moved in on December 1 and I have to say the transformation to now is looking great,” he said. “It’s got a Victorian feel to it - a traditional arcade.

“I hope we can create a community here. My mate next door to me is from the market too, and we all know each other here. That’s the word - community. It’s no secret Newport is seeing tough times lately, but the future can be independent traders and I hope it can start here and in the market.”

Proprietors which have already moved in include a tattooist, a record store owner, a barber, a photo gallery owner, a camera expert, and a gift seller (Jonathon Hill)

A sandwich shop and a smoothie shop is also expected to move in within weeks (Jonathon Hill)

The market arcade is now welcoming customers after two years of work (Jonathon Hill)

Site manager Neil Evans, who has organised the work carried out by contractors Anthony Davies, officially left the site on Friday. The contractors have been charged with all external works for the arcade.

“I’m proud as punch with what we’ve done,” he said. “There are some unfinished designs with signage for the shop fronts which will be sorted within weeks, but other than that we’re good to go. We’re really pleased.”

A sandwich shop and a smoothie shop is also expected to move in within weeks, coinciding with the reopening of the refurbished market - now expected to be unveiled in March.

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