Friars Walk in Wales to open in November

Friars Walk, a new 390,000 square foot retail and leisure centre in Newport, South Wales, will open its doors on November 12.

The project, which has taken four years to develop, from the concept to securing funding, finding the right tenant mix, as well as building that began last year, will be one of only three shopping centres forecast to open in the UK in 2015 and is currently 65 percent let.

The centre will be anchor by Debenhams, who have signed up to a 93,000 square foot flagship store, and cinema chain Cineworld, they will be joined by retailers Next, H&M, New Look and River Island, as well as restaurants Nandos and Frankie and Benny’s. It is hoped that Friars Walk will attract around 10 million visitors in the first year alone.

Paul Sargent, chief executive and co-founder of Queensberry Real Estate said: “Friars Walk will transform Newport, giving people a reason to return to the city centre. We have a fantastic line up of retailers and restaurants and we estimate that we will receive around 10 million visitors in the first year alone.

“Friars Walk will be the first retail scheme to be delivered by Queensberry Real Estate since it was formed just 5 years ago. We are also proud to announce we will be fully involved in the ongoing operation and management of the centre.”

Bob Bright, leader of Newport City Council added: “To have the opening date for Friars Walk confirmed is another important step in the much anticipated retail and leisure development for the city.

“We know that having a transformed city centre offering retail and leisure has been something that our residents have wanted to see for many years.”