THE EDITOR’S CHAIR: Wake up, it’s time to restore Newport's pride (From South Wales Argus)

I agree with much of the sentiments of this letter. With a selection of great traders in Newport we must continue to fight for the city centre. I would urge you to invest and help Newport to be the regional centre it can be.

The comment by the pub landlord is pertinent. Cwmbran has the advantage of being privately owned and so the behaviour of persons in the town centre can be monitered and controlled a lot easier. Newport does not have that advantage and so the behaviour in the city centre is far worse. When drug abuse is fairly common in broad daylight in the city centre what hope is there in attracting decent citizens. But why don't the police and council officers sort this out?

Why run a pub? Become a chief executive of a city council, maybe somewhere like Newport? and earn 150k plus a year. Only problem being, you talk too much sense for local politicians. Many years ago I wondered how it was that small French towns were full of boutique shops selling all sorts of things and yet never seemed to be busy. The answer was controlled rents and small council taxes, proportionate to the business. Sounds like a Labour policy, does`n`t it?

The Council should impose fines on private landlords who leave their shops vacant for a set period of time on the grounds that it creates an eye sore.

They would soon lower their rents.

Some private landlords are too keen to hold on until they get the highest rent possible.

Do you know how many businesses there are up for sale in Newport today.

The answer is quite frightening.

The new retail units at Newport railway station are up for lease so I enquired today.

They want £10,000 a year rent for the smallest unit. You then have to pay your business rates and your Tax.

They want a percentage of your yearly profits.

You also have to pay them a service charge to maintain the unit.

Then you have your gas, electric, water rates.

When you add wages, NI contributions, all the insurances and the cost to fit-out this unit it makes it very hard for locals to even consider starting up a business in Newport.

A good start from this council would be all commercial rates free for one year.

Last point !

As for a serious debate on here for the future of our City.... Are the council waiting for Argus posters to come up with a master plan as it seems that way.

tazeez wrote:
The comment by the pub landlord is pertinent. Cwmbran has the advantage of being privately owned and so the behaviour of persons in the town centre can be monitered and controlled a lot easier. Newport does not have that advantage and so the behaviour in the city centre is far worse. When drug abuse is fairly common in broad daylight in the city centre what hope is there in attracting decent citizens. But why don't the police and council officers sort this out?

the lamb is or one of the highest price for drinks in newport councill rates high london price for drinks

nolongergullible wrote:
Why run a pub? Become a chief executive of a city council, maybe somewhere like Newport? and earn 150k plus a year. Only problem being, you talk too much sense for local politicians. Many years ago I wondered how it was that small French towns were full of boutique shops selling all sorts of things and yet never seemed to be busy. The answer was controlled rents and small council taxes, proportionate to the business. Sounds like a Labour policy, does`n`t it?

I would vote for Jonathan Thomas. In the meantime, I'll go to The Lamb.

I try to support the market of a Saturday morning to buy meat, fruit and veg, it only takes at most 30 minutes yet I'm expected to pay parking fees which I'm very reluctant to do. Last week I was fortunate to find a parking spot on North Street, but why are there no parking spaces near the market free for short term.

Stall holders in the market are local people giving a good service and it should be made easier to support them

It's beyond me that after years of failure Newport keep returning a Labour council.

Incidents witnessed by myself and my children in the last few occasions going into Newport since Christmas: 1) 1600hrs elderly man being verbally abused including extreme swear words - he was on walking sticks - it seems he had confronted a couple of youths 2) shameful treatment by a waiter in a famous curry house his attitude was so bad in the end we laughed because it became a parody 3) same night drove to end of street to witness fight opposite police stn 4) police officer being verbally abused by other youths inc extreme language from a girl - he had one of their friends in the back oh the car it was again about 1600hrs - only 3 reasons for me to go in alone now: 1) Turners Butchers 2) my bank 3) The Murringer - otherwise we will still to Cwmbran / Cardiff thanks. It's NOT just about the shops.

I have lived in Newport for thirty odd years. I have witnessed first hand its slow decline which I date back to about 1977. I do not really know the reasons. The decline of heavy industry and the docks may have contributed to it. What I will say is the author of this letter cares about the situation passionately and I would trust this type of man much more than the self-seeking socialist councillors with their noses in the trough and little concern for hard-working entrepreneurial citizens. It is time for a complete overhaul of the city, beginning with those who hold the reins of power. Then Newport has to replace the yob-controlled, decaying streets with vibrant business and attractive shops. It is not too late but it nearly is.

Newport is dead with Cwmbran and Cardiff Minutes away

never understood why landlords are happy to leave their property empty for years on end I have a rental property in glos and when ii found it hard to rent i slashed the rent (better to get something than nothing) how on earth can you make a living paying 10 k a year for a unit selling sweets and crisps at the train station.

Great idea, more parking, more policing, less yobs, cleaner streets, lower rates, lower rents.....

Who is going to pay for this?.. you?, me?, just print more money (the tory way) , take out loans, mortgage our futures.. spend now pay later. (labour way). Who is right?

Central government is cutting public spending.. Guess what? You get less. Policing is cut. Streets get dirtier.

I wish people who post on here would wake up and get real. How can it be the councils fault that this country/world is in recession? M&S etc are moving out of city centres to places with lower rents and better access for customers and deliveries. It is their business strategy and Britian is following other countries with more out-of-town shopping malls. Which itself will die over time a people will only shop from their arm chairs and have produce delivered to their door. Its the evolution of retail and technology.

The council has no control over rates and rents.They are in a financial crisis themselves with threats of redundancy through out. Central government wants to outsource as many services as possible in to private hands. Will that improve services? I can't think of any instance that privatisation has provided a better service or a secure future.

People complain over the lack of parking, yet the multi-story car parks are never full. A pound for three hours isn't going to kill any one!!! If there was the demand there would be more car parks. Lets fill up the ones we have before we harp on about needing more. If the traders want free parking, subsidies it like they do in cwmbran or not like cardiff. I think they pay slightly more than a quid for three hours

Businesses in the city centre don't move with the times, selling the same stuff they have sold for the last 40 years and think the retail industry hasn't moved on. Pubs are shutting and landlords can't comprehend that people can't afford £3.50 a pint and that their takings are suffering. Its not business owners fault that the public can't afford it any more? It must be the councils for digging up the road and spending millions trying to improve city centre.

Its not the dirty street that puts me off Newport (London is a right craphole) or the empty shops, which apparently is unique to Newport. Its the people who blame everyone else other than themselves.

If you think you can do better, then get involved and do something about it. Start an anarchist revolution or run for council... do something, stop whining and expect other people to do if for you.

This isn't a pop at anyone in particular or the landlord of the lamb (nice pub by the way), I'm just fed up of whingers who post on here.

God I just realised.. I'm a whinger too..

Where's my shot gun, I'm going to end it all?

****.. I'll have to go to Litts to buy one..

D'oh..

A thought provoking letter and refreshing series of posts without the usual anti-Newport rubbish. (Sometimes I wonder if some posters are employed by Cwmbran or Cardiff to just spread negativity here!).

The author of the letter is right - Cwmbran is privately owned and so can control rents/give rent holidays to retailers. Newport doesn't have this luxury and rents are set by private landlords. St Davids 2 in Cardiff has empty units, and has offered eye-watering rent holidays to retailers to take their units.

My understanding is that rates are set by the Welsh Government and NCC simply collects the money for WG and passes the money on to WG. I'm sure if the Council did control rent or rates it would have taken action ages ago.

I wholeheartedly agree that what is really dragging Newport down is our attitude as residents. It may not have caused the problems we're facing, but it isn't helping.

My suggestion to everyone who reads this post (and myself): Before next criticising Newport City Centre, think about where you spend your money. For example, I am strongly in favour of Newport Market, but if I'm honest, do I spend any money there? Certainly not enough to help sustain a business. So let's all start voting with our wallets. And maybe if enough of us return to the City Centre to shop, we'll outnumber the ne'er-do-wells and the very presence of normal law abiding citizens might help regulate the behaviour of the troublemakers.

It's time to reclaim our city! See you there on Saturday?

Exile Elmo. Don't go mentioning shotguns mate, or the cops will kick yer door in! (After a very lengthy risk assessment).

The Red Claw wrote:
Exile Elmo. Don't go mentioning shotguns mate, or the cops will kick yer door in! (After a very lengthy risk assessment).

Okay..point taken.. NP20 4UR if they want to pop around to check that I haven't got one. No need to kick the door in, the key is under the mat.

As a Newportonian in exile I can tell you why. Tears of socialists councillors following their marxist rubbish and lots of smar tarse small time locals who make the english laugh. You need to get real to what makes retail happen (the retailers can tell you), show that the place is clean and safe and control the jobs

Exile Elmo says... A pound for three hours isn't going to kill any one!!! If there was the demand there would be more car parks. Lets fill up the ones we have before we harp on about needing more.

Well actually its not the point, the point is why pay, when you can go elsewhere for free... and Newport years ago, used to have parking all over the town... FREE.... the council sold off some of the carparks(some are church owned? !! goodwill to all men as long as you top up the meter) and then made the onstreet bays Vanish... Just look at the back of Wilkinsons, I remember the Angled Parking bays, plenty of cars could get on, now about 4 disabled bays. Then there was the parking around the indoor market and infront of the train station........ the council are responsible for the parking problems, they created them, NOT the owners of the buildings.Just look at some old photo's freely available showing Newport Back in The Day... the council would like us to forget,but some of us do not...

As for the main story, yes Its heartwarming, but as others have already said, it really is a little too late in an ever evolving world of retail.
The world now shops online and in out of town developments, that will not change now, you can get more stock in out of town sites, which means lower prices and the internet even cheaper with greater choice.

Newport Centre Shopping was great for the times it was built, but it is far too small to be a successful shopping hub now...families do not want to come into the City Centre and smell alcohol lined streets, with people sat all over the pavements eating from the cafes, and puffing cig smoke all over the babies in prams...in the times I have come into the centre , I have left feeling dirty !! the only place I felt comfortable was in Kingsway..... and even that is going down hill.

The OP makes it clear , to invest or not... a horrible dilemma... especially when it is your only form of income. Do any of us know what to do? All I know is I would not be looking at the Centre for my investments that is for sure, not anymore.

Just my opinion of course.

And Charlie,whilst I admire your thoughts, you will not get people in when the centre has all the faults it does, you simply cannot say , its partly residents faults?, dirty streets, drunks, druggies, charity shops everywhere, cafes pouring out onto walkways, smokers stood around puffing in your face, poorly designed vehicle access, especially that mess heading from Kingsway towards the Police station.. the roundabout worked... that mess now just causes congestion, queues of traffic daily around the train station, limited parking, disabled bays always full, mostly with non disabled workers parking in them, people always trying to sell you something or getting you to sign up to something, then once you have conquered all that, you struggle to find what it was you came into the City for, as there is no choice anymore, limited choice shopping.....its time people did GET REAL, and realise its too late... save the money , close it down or change its purpose and move on, you will not compete with Cwmbran, Cardiff or Bristol.

Newport is a dump and always will be !!!!

Newports trouble is it always votes labour all the grant money now goes does to cardiff bay . Labour see little point in pushing any newports way as it knows how ever bad it treats the people of newport their vote is guaranteed 2 safe seats

PLEASE STOP VOTING FOR THESE CLOWNS.

In 2008 Newpoer voted for change. That change happened and things were better. Sadly Newport has gone back to Labour who have just picked up where they left off in 2008.
Newport will never improve unless the small retailer is encouraged and rates are lowered. WAG control business rates and they need to be told to lower them.
There is a good point about the retail parks. They should be charged very high rates and perhaps the money used to lower the rates in the city. This wil encourage business back
Some of the councillors are good and some are terrible but that is up to local people to root these individuals out.

charlie, newport wrote:
A thought provoking letter and refreshing series of posts without the usual anti-Newport rubbish. (Sometimes I wonder if some posters are employed by Cwmbran or Cardiff to just spread negativity here!).

The author of the letter is right - Cwmbran is privately owned and so can control rents/give rent holidays to retailers. Newport doesn't have this luxury and rents are set by private landlords. St Davids 2 in Cardiff has empty units, and has offered eye-watering rent holidays to retailers to take their units.

My understanding is that rates are set by the Welsh Government and NCC simply collects the money for WG and passes the money on to WG. I'm sure if the Council did control rent or rates it would have taken action ages ago.

I wholeheartedly agree that what is really dragging Newport down is our attitude as residents. It may not have caused the problems we're facing, but it isn't helping.

My suggestion to everyone who reads this post (and myself): Before next criticising Newport City Centre, think about where you spend your money. For example, I am strongly in favour of Newport Market, but if I'm honest, do I spend any money there? Certainly not enough to help sustain a business. So let's all start voting with our wallets. And maybe if enough of us return to the City Centre to shop, we'll outnumber the ne'er-do-wells and the very presence of normal law abiding citizens might help regulate the behaviour of the troublemakers.

It's time to reclaim our city! See you there on Saturday?

There isn't enough variety or footfall to encourage people to the town centre, all we need is tumble weed to complete the scene. Is it negative to state the reality ? no amount of playing up the empty high street is going to improve anything.

Just because a town centre is there doesn't mean anyone is obligated to use it, private endeavour is needed and control taken away from the council, it works in Cwmbran and elsewhere. The council has no idea how to make a city centre viable, and we are suffering where others areas are not, so they must be doing something wrong.

Pound shops and charity shops and run down boozers encourage exactly what we are seeing, it isn't all down to the economic situation. We've lost heart, and are going elsewhere.

Sounds like a drowning man going down for the third time to me with his life flashing in front of him

Lets say we all agree that Cardiff gets all the funding from 'The Wag'
Newport Council have no control over the rent and Chav is a attitude not a dress

So I will compare just Newport Cwmbran and Spytty

1)Cwmbran has Morrisions, Sainsburys, Asda, Marks, Iceland, Willis(a very good local butcher) in the town centre...

Spytty has the largest Tesco in Wales, Asda Living, Marks, Icelands and Morrisions

Newport has Iceland, and Tesco Extra which is relocating to Baneswell

2) Shops

Cwmbran and Spytty have Gap, Boots, Marks, H&M, Internationale, Bon Marche, David Evans, HMV, Top Shop, Top Man, Burtons Dorethy Perkins, Next, Monsoon, Massive Primark, Clarks, Outfit, Tesco Extra, Thorntons, Iceland, Blockbuster Video and Mataland..

Newport from Skinners street to BHS all empty shops!!! Past BHS only Thortons Outlet a Tacky Phone Shop and Clarks are the only shops open that side up to the Old Woolworths..

John Frost Square down to the Potters pub there only 1 shop open a charity shop and the Passport Office is also leaving this spring

So Newport has Boot's, Smiths, Game, Wilco and a small Primark and Iceland being the only Food shop.. And HMV going so nowhere to buy CD's DVD's

Okay let says Spillers but how many buy records, its a gimmicky niche thing..

3) Anti social behaviour
Yes there is some rough looking people in both Cwmbran and Spytty but there not screaming "F-O-_O_I-N G at the top of there lungs like the scum in Newport do..


Several Beggers 3 in Bus Station, 1 by Post Office, the skinny ginger guy with a Jack Russel and the guy in Denim who looks like Jesus; to name a few.. I was under the impression begging is illegal.. .

So therefore, street drinking, riding bikes staffy's (mostly of leads) as te staffy owners has a can(stella) constant use of the F Word screamed not spoken!!! I saw the police arrest somebody for letting his staffy almost get run over by a car twice in 5 minutes

The Pubs and the scum who frequent them.. The following is taken from Arfur Dalay website he's a reporter for Wales Online about the closure of the Pen and Wig

The Pen & Wig in Newport is for sale with Sidney Phillips for £397,500 freehold. Not sure if that includes the website written in Comic Sans or not. Current leaseholder Richard Jackson has had enough of the trade and the high business rates charged by the council for a thriving business in what is the ghost town of Newport and owner Billy wants to spend his retirement in Spain, not dealing with his pubs. Over the past 2 years Richard has built the Pen & Wig up to be the premier pub in Newport with a fine range of real ales and ciders, and, of course being a great local outlet for Tiny Rebel Brewery amongst others. Also Richard has cleaned up the pub a lot, banning dozens of people for their behaviour or just being chavs, giving more profit to Tim Martin and Chaverspoons in whose pubs these people now reside.
The building needs some work on it, probably about £40k to bring it up to standard so the £397k price is over-optimistic to say the least. Still at least it has a few things going for it - a large car park at the rear, upstairs bar and City Centre location. Just wait and see if anyone is willing to invest in City Centre Newport as neither shops (Marks & Spencer have left the City Centre) or the Council want to invest..

The only thing open in Newport is Pubs so to me, the Lamb re-opening is a bad thing.. posted by the owner of Infusion

Posted by the owner of Infusion bar high street

It is with regret that we at Infusion bar of 16 High St, have to announce the closure of the bar next month.
Another establishment closing down on the Newport High St, due to many leading

factors.
Yes 1 of them being the demise of the High St, with the high rates demands that are levied on us whilst the High St has been shut for the last 9 months. In that time our trading figures have dropped by 72%. We cannot afford these rates during a time when our streets look like a war zone. Since the new road has been laid our front porch way & cellar gets flooded out every time it rains, and nobody has bothered to look into why or how to stop it (clever designers). The drainage system has become blocked with a massive H & S problem, but nobody has been to look at this since December.
It seems to be the centre is dying without any thought to collateral damage to existing trading patterns in the High St and the livelihood of those involved, as long as developers have there shillings for the plans they do not care about the traders. The pound shops, cash converter shops and charity shops are the only places left in Newport now.
Sadly we am not the first or neither will we be the last in this mass exodus that the council have created.

Most of the general public that were coming to the City Centre in the evenings/ nights

have stopped coming as taxis can no longer get to the bar, they have to walk

distances through very hostile gangs that are allowed to loiter around all night selling

drugs, starting fights, looking to mug people and be a threat to everyone within the

High St area.
There is/was a system within Newport nighttime economy that was there to protect the public, where all the scrotes, chavs and thugs that do cause trouble were banned from the city centre, this was brought in to make the city a safer place to drink in and enjoy yourself, however it has never been implemented properly as too many bars do not want to lose the bad trade that they have got. Hence why the nice people do not enter Newport anymore. 75% of the trade within the city is bad trade, hence why the 85% that was nice trade has gone.
For all the Nice people that have visited us in Infusion, I am sad to say another of your safe pubs has now gone. We have always had a strong door policy of keeping the riff raff out and letting people come in, relax, have a good time all in a safe environment.

So yes, If we had any money left we would be looking to open a bar in the Spytty retail park or Cwmbran.

I was born in Cardiff and live in this area now.
I am very passionate about Wales and am dismayed to see what has happened to Newport.
What happens in Newport can effect the whole of Wales negatively, including Cardiff.
Something has to be done, maybe along the lines of what Jonathan proposes.

I think a lot of people who are complaining need to actually go into the town center for once. It isn't actually all that bad considering other areas of the country. There has ALWAYS been an issue with rowdy teenagers but isn't that the case for everywhere? These kids don't have places to go that interest them apart from loitering outside McDonalds or sitting around on the various monuments. The council are out-dated and behind the times. "Built youth centers!" they cry but you won't get the kids of today into them because it is an outdated form of control for rowdy kids. The parents have a responsibility to these children in how they're raised and what they do for recreation. Please stop blaming kids for the reason the town center is in the state that it is. Newport needs more entertainment venues to bring people back into the center - we need a cinema, not another coffee shop, we need a recreation park, not another bus station, we need to make more of an effort with culture and make more venues that cater for live music, social gatherings that aren't simply pubs. The fact we have three weatherspoons within 1/2 mile of each other is ridiculous frankly. I think the only way forward really is to build residential apartments and have businesses together much like The Hayes in Cardiff.

Newport has become a doughnut town. Supermarkets rule end of. Cheap booze, cheap food, cheap electrical goods etc. etc. and you can park outside the store free of charge. When you leave you can fill the car up with cheap fuel.

I can remember when the Argus was in the High Street but they moved out when costs went up.

welshbear2013 wrote:
Newport has become a doughnut town. Supermarkets rule end of. Cheap booze, cheap food, cheap electrical goods etc. etc. and you can park outside the store free of charge. When you leave you can fill the car up with cheap fuel.

Food...fair enough you need to load it in the car but most people haven't done the weekly shop in town centres for 30 years so thats nothing new.

Booze is for socializing not your sofa. Electricals - people buy every 10 years, online. Fuel - people would rather buy from local stations rather than drive miles to fill up - but the supermarket cartel cornered the market.

Town Centres (Bath, Bristol, Chester, Cheltenham, even Cardiff) are about a lot more than shopping.

What a heartfelt letter from the new landlord of the Lamb.
When we are accused of being whingers its because those of us who live in Newport are angry, and sad, because of what this once lovely place has been reduced to.
HurricaneShane also made some good points. Newport needs to be more than shops.

well i have read some rubbish on here nearly made me sing out Bread of heaven lol ,fly the flag for Cessport you mugs just stand back and take a good look at what you are promoting Cessport is a crap hole take your rose tinted glasses off nobody goes there of any standard full of low lives, you could be allowed to come to cwmbran but you will have to wash first?
So thank you cessport for providing a place all the scum can go as we don't want them in CWMBRAN.

NakedDancer wrote:

welshbear2013 wrote:
Newport has become a doughnut town. Supermarkets rule end of. Cheap booze, cheap food, cheap electrical goods etc. etc. and you can park outside the store free of charge. When you leave you can fill the car up with cheap fuel.

Food...fair enough you need to load it in the car but most people haven't done the weekly shop in town centres for 30 years so thats nothing new.

Booze is for socializing not your sofa. Electricals - people buy every 10 years, online. Fuel - people would rather buy from local stations rather than drive miles to fill up - but the supermarket cartel cornered the market.

Town Centres (Bath, Bristol, Chester, Cheltenham, even Cardiff) are about a lot more than shopping.

Like I said supermarkets rule. Hardly any pubs, not many petrol stations and supermarkets do on line also. You can sit on your sofa drinking a beer, watching T.V and they will deliver to your door.

welshbear2013 wrote:

NakedDancer wrote:

welshbear2013 wrote:
Newport has become a doughnut town. Supermarkets rule end of. Cheap booze, cheap food, cheap electrical goods etc. etc. and you can park outside the store free of charge. When you leave you can fill the car up with cheap fuel.

Food...fair enough you need to load it in the car but most people haven't done the weekly shop in town centres for 30 years so thats nothing new.

Booze is for socializing not your sofa. Electricals - people buy every 10 years, online. Fuel - people would rather buy from local stations rather than drive miles to fill up - but the supermarket cartel cornered the market.

Town Centres (Bath, Bristol, Chester, Cheltenham, even Cardiff) are about a lot more than shopping.

Like I said supermarkets rule. Hardly any pubs, not many petrol stations and supermarkets do on line also. You can sit on your sofa drinking a beer, watching T.V and they will deliver to your door.

Like I said, successful Town Centres (Bath, Bristol, Chester, Cheltenham, Cardiff) are about a lot more than shopping. Thats the challenge for every town centre not just Newport.

no justice wrote:
well i have read some rubbish on here nearly made me sing out Bread of heaven lol ,fly the flag for Cessport you mugs just stand back and take a good look at what you are promoting Cessport is a crap hole take your rose tinted glasses off nobody goes there of any standard full of low lives, you could be allowed to come to cwmbran but you will have to wash first?
So thank you cessport for providing a place all the scum can go as we don't want them in CWMBRAN.

Ha - obviously a troll, but people forget the Cwmbran mall closes overnight and the rest of Cwmbran ? well lets just be polite and say it isn't anything is it, one big housing estate.

most people in newport asre angry and annoyed it has gone well down hill soince the inception of the WAG once the 1/2 billion cost of running this nightmare are taken out of the grant money there is nothing left

NakedDancer wrote:

no justice wrote:
well i have read some rubbish on here nearly made me sing out Bread of heaven lol ,fly the flag for Cessport you mugs just stand back and take a good look at what you are promoting Cessport is a crap hole take your rose tinted glasses off nobody goes there of any standard full of low lives, you could be allowed to come to cwmbran but you will have to wash first?
So thank you cessport for providing a place all the scum can go as we don't want them in CWMBRAN.

Ha - obviously a troll, but people forget the Cwmbran mall closes overnight and the rest of Cwmbran ? well lets just be polite and say it isn't anything is it, one big housing estate.

Are you a Troll? As you always state your opinion as fact, and shout down anybody who disagrees with you as trolling?

Intelligent debate from both parties doesn't have to be protracted. Either one sufficiently proves his point or they both agree to disagree without insult or disrespect.

HurricaneShane wrote:
I think a lot of people who are complaining need to actually go into the town center for once. It isn't actually all that bad considering other areas of the country. There has ALWAYS been an issue with rowdy teenagers but isn't that the case for everywhere? These kids don't have places to go that interest them apart from loitering outside McDonalds or sitting around on the various monuments. The council are out-dated and behind the times. "Built youth centers!" they cry but you won't get the kids of today into them because it is an outdated form of control for rowdy kids. The parents have a responsibility to these children in how they're raised and what they do for recreation. Please stop blaming kids for the reason the town center is in the state that it is. Newport needs more entertainment venues to bring people back into the center - we need a cinema, not another coffee shop, we need a recreation park, not another bus station, we need to make more of an effort with culture and make more venues that cater for live music, social gatherings that aren't simply pubs. The fact we have three weatherspoons within 1/2 mile of each other is ridiculous frankly. I think the only way forward really is to build residential apartments and have businesses together much like The Hayes in Cardiff.

He's a thought why don't the parents actually take responsibility for there Children, and install moral value's in them such as treat people how you want to be treated themselves..

These people know there rights but not there responsibility, and think the world owes them a living.. They do the crime then get upset when some faceless people on the internet; said nasty things about them and called them "scum"

Because they had a hard upbringing, there parents didn't love them and they took drink and drugs to earn the respect of there peers..

Strider wrote:

NakedDancer wrote:

no justice wrote:
well i have read some rubbish on here nearly made me sing out Bread of heaven lol ,fly the flag for Cessport you mugs just stand back and take a good look at what you are promoting Cessport is a crap hole take your rose tinted glasses off nobody goes there of any standard full of low lives, you could be allowed to come to cwmbran but you will have to wash first?
So thank you cessport for providing a place all the scum can go as we don't want them in CWMBRAN.

Ha - obviously a troll, but people forget the Cwmbran mall closes overnight and the rest of Cwmbran ? well lets just be polite and say it isn't anything is it, one big housing estate.

Are you a Troll? As you always state your opinion as fact, and shout down anybody who disagrees with you as trolling?

Intelligent debate from both parties doesn't have to be protracted. Either one sufficiently proves his point or they both agree to disagree without insult or disrespect.

Huh ? - you found the comments by nojustice to be intelligent debate ?

Check your definition of Troll ie someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous or off-topic messages in an online community with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response.

Ah yes Strider - now I see your protracted post on this subject (longest one on this page) stating your opinion as fact and shouting everyone else down.

Newport is finished, there has never been much there anyway, the charity shops, that are occupying the empty shops, actually charge more for their goods. than what the price was, when they were new. The druggies with their dogs begging for money, the Poles with there begging on every street corner, and the filthy streets, are more than I can put up with.

The council should have taken action years ago. Its finished, you might as well stop throwing good money after bad.

NakedDancer wrote:
Ah yes Strider - now I see your protracted post on this subject (longest one on this page) stating your opinion as fact and shouting everyone else down.

Naked Dancer' not my posts they where quotes copy from the Landlords of Infusions and 'the Pen & Wig'

NO Justice post made me laugh, and 99% percent of the posts on here are how bad Newport is..

I just find your posts nauseating.. How you try to act the Mother figure to everybody on here..

Naked Dancer tell us about these upmarket adult pubs in Newport?

So you have nothing useful to contribute only stealing someone elses words and i can see why you'd enjoy nojustices gutter language comments in your whingy negative world with no aspiration for anything better. Your silly insults are pathetic.

http://pakinwunmi.wo
rdpress.com/2012/08/
09/my-town/

This is Newport
where we’re proud to live.
Nothing to hide,
a bit less to give.
Just take these streets,
we love to walk
we learned to fight here,
‘fore we could talk.
All these places
we love to roam
The ‘port ain’t much,
but we call it home.

I could show you bright spots
I used to have my fun;
or the dark hiding places
I used when I had to run.
I can show you the school
that stood and watched me grow
and walk you through the alleys
that taught me all I know…
Coz this is Newport, where we’re proud to live…

I could stand here dreaming
On Twmbarlam, looking down.
But one hundred and fifty thousand dreamers
struggle to help our town.
Betrayed by the planners,
and entrepreneurial flops
and lazy-minded councilors who
emptied the streets of shops.
But it’s still our town where we’re proud to live…

It’s a shame that pride and history
count for bugger all;
we need Chartist-like heroics
to arrest this headlong fall
into the dust.
coz there is a sense of inner strength,
a steel which forged its men,
and the guts that vanquished All Blacks
can be stirred in the ‘Port again.

When Jonny’s TJ’s lit a fuse
‘cool Cymru’ rocked our town,
Dub War, Darling Buds, Feeder, the ‘Dolls,
Strummer and Cobain hung round.
A place of hard, working people
and chaotic weekends in town -
but give me a place with edge and bite
not one that just lays down.

The ‘port still has its icons
Behold the mighty Skindred
Then there’s the County and the Dragons,
and the Dirties – Goods and Sanchez!
Kenneth Baker and Paul Flynn;
as heroes, not everyone’s choice
but Newport carved these people too
and gave the town a voice.

I keep saying town
but we’re promoted to ‘city’,
like big brother Cardiff
down the road.
But up feels like down
when you drive out to Spytty
while the town centre corrodes.

The people of the ‘port
are the lifeblood that it needs,
but they drain away through the open gash
that closed down businessess leave.
The pubs are cold and empty,
town wheezes drawing breath
but it was here when we were born
so I’m staying for her death…
‘coz this is my town, where I’m proud to live…

with nothing to hide,
a bit less to give.
Just take these streets,
we love to walk
we learned to fight here,
‘fore we could talk.
All these places
we loves to roam,
the ‘port ain’t much,
but we calls it home.

Haven't people voted with their wallets already? That's why the vacuum has mostly been filled with the worst the area has to offer and decent hard working business' has gone.

Over the years, I have had 2 bad experiences in the Market too. Both those traders are gone (interesting?) and I notice the new business one of them set up didn't last long either.

I stated the only reasons I keep supporting the "City" centre is my current Butcher in the Market, my Bank and the Murringer.
If 2 of those go now I will just move Branches to Cwmbran (free parking).
I supported my Butcher again the weekend. They had smiles on their faces as trade has been picking up since horse-meat gate struck.

If I come into the Murry for a drink with Wife or friends it is to get a decent pint before going on elsewhere. Where else is there left in Centre you can feel safe?

Interestingly, after the delightful incidents x 2 they've witnessed recently my kids opted to stay in the car on the weekend. I dont blame them really!
A relative from another part of Wales also took one of my children into "town" not long ago and she hadnt been for about 5 years and she was appalled (I think they spent about 45 mins there - had a drink and came home as they couldn't find what they were looking for anyway).
She said her small Welsh town was "bad" but the state of Newport Centre had really shocked her. This weekend they came up. Guess where they chose to go before they arrived? You got it Cwmbran. Why shouldn't they?(free parking again).

....Yes I can afford the £3.50 for the 15 minutes I was in the Market on Sat am - but a lot of people cant. They will go somewhere where they can walk too safely or even somewhere that provides free transport. I dont blame those people that CAN afford it but refuse to pay if they are just "popping in".

Finally there are unsavory types in every town or city but remember this might be the 2nd or even 3rd generation of people with no morale compass or self-respect let alone respect for the law or even other human beings. They do seem to have more respect for their dangerous dog (off lead) than a Police officer or disabled "old soldier" who they verbally abuse with the "C" word at the top of their voices (in front of my kids). How can the Council be to blame for this? How can the Police be everywhere at once to control the out of control who think this is normal behavior?

Maybe I DO need to reflect on why I've continued to do much of my shopping in the BIG 3 and go to Spytty or Cwmbran. The factors are multifaceted but it doesnt mean I need to expose my wife and kids to law breaking and unpleasant, foul people who will attack you if you look the wrong way.

Some of us get enough of that in our jobs serving SOME of the local populous.
We don't want to experience them during our off duty time as well, especially if there is no reason to go there in the first place.

I don't think anyone is disputing the current poor state and its a problem many town centres are facing. The question (ignoring the obvious lunatic ranters) is what should be done about it ?

The best thing about Cwmbran mall is the zero tolerance policy for bad behaviour.

NakedDancer wrote:
So you have nothing useful to contribute only stealing someone elses words and i can see why you'd enjoy nojustices gutter language comments in your whingy negative world with no aspiration for anything better. Your silly insults are pathetic.

NakedDancer how is that stealing when I credited Arfur Daley, Richard Jackson and the Landlord of Infusions for the posts?

Also where did I insult you?

Newport couldn't even sell there flats above the Westgate, the riverside apartment was bought by Charter .. Both Newport's hotels shut..

Newport at night is full of Druggy's, Drunks and Chav's bent over there dirty little bags of street drugs.. Other pubs like 200 and Basement have 5 people max in them on a friday night.. If your idea of a good night are these Chav friendly themed pubs that play dance music, and are full of stella drinking chavs who think they can take on the world after they got a drink down them, more power to you

As the Gentleman above said Murenger is the only decent pub in Newport.. And Lloyds No 1 in the day

Nice one Phili always good to read a well written well argued post..

The thing is where told by the Argus that these foul mouthed Chav's are just expressing themselves.. Same with the pubs there just drunk as there enjoying themselves.. And only us Argus fascists have a problem with them swearing and being drunk..

I saw a guy stop some chav from trying to kick a window through last week.. 5 minutes later chav comes back by crying with several other chavs saying "That man beat the S out of me"

Really if the Police whoever took a zero tolerance approach people may want to return to Newport.. Cwmbran and Cardiff pubs are mostly kept away from the town centre..

The only way to better Newports image would be less pubs and more family oriented places, Cinema, Harvester, Pizza Hut, Ben & Jerrys

Strider wrote:

NakedDancer wrote:
So you have nothing useful to contribute only stealing someone elses words and i can see why you'd enjoy nojustices gutter language comments in your whingy negative world with no aspiration for anything better. Your silly insults are pathetic.

NakedDancer how is that stealing when I credited Arfur Daley, Richard Jackson and the Landlord of Infusions for the posts?

Also where did I insult you?

Newport couldn't even sell there flats above the Westgate, the riverside apartment was bought by Charter .. Both Newport's hotels shut..

Newport at night is full of Druggy's, Drunks and Chav's bent over there dirty little bags of street drugs.. Other pubs like 200 and Basement have 5 people max in them on a friday night.. If your idea of a good night are these Chav friendly themed pubs that play dance music, and are full of stella drinking chavs who think they can take on the world after they got a drink down them, more power to you

As the Gentleman above said Murenger is the only decent pub in Newport.. And Lloyds No 1 in the day

As I said - no-one is disputing the current poor state (including me) and its a problem many town centres are facing. The question is what should be done about it ?

All you can do is rant the obvious and make stupid suppositions about my preferences.

If you don't want to hear anyones opinion then don't read a comments page...or stick to the point and keep your snide insults to yourself.

Strider wrote:
Nice one Phili always good to read a well written well argued post..

The thing is where told by the Argus that these foul mouthed Chav's are just expressing themselves.. Same with the pubs there just drunk as there enjoying themselves.. And only us Argus fascists have a problem with them swearing and being drunk..

I saw a guy stop some chav from trying to kick a window through last week.. 5 minutes later chav comes back by crying with several other chavs saying "That man beat the S out of me"

Really if the Police whoever took a zero tolerance approach people may want to return to Newport.. Cwmbran and Cardiff pubs are mostly kept away from the town centre..

The only way to better Newports image would be less pubs and more family oriented places, Cinema, Harvester, Pizza Hut, Ben & Jerrys

We had all those before, they still went. I don't think the NHS would be happy Newport open a plethora of more junk food outlets here.... There are enough fatties already. Newport had 4 cinemas at one time, they all closed. I agree move the pubs out, but with a load of night clubs and booze cheaper than water in off licences, nothing would change. These idiots get tanked up before they hit the town centre. Wasn't it the Lamb in the town centre that removed tables and chairs to get more people in to drink more booze ? People who sat down talked more and drank less !

Dai the Milk wrote:
I have lived in Newport for thirty odd years. I have witnessed first hand its slow decline which I date back to about 1977. I do not really know the reasons. The decline of heavy industry and the docks may have contributed to it. What I will say is the author of this letter cares about the situation passionately and I would trust this type of man much more than the self-seeking socialist councillors with their noses in the trough and little concern for hard-working entrepreneurial citizens. It is time for a complete overhaul of the city, beginning with those who hold the reins of power. Then Newport has to replace the yob-controlled, decaying streets with vibrant business and attractive shops. It is not too late but it nearly is.

Newport is part of a much wider conurbation that is south east wales. We are being boiled down with cream being swept off to better climbs ie cardiff cwmbran. The traditional trade brought down the valleys lines was cut and redirected to cardiff 18 yrs ago. From then on cardiff has grown sucking up more and more funding. "They do bave the infrustructa to grow" and they are the capital.

The plan is and has been for twenty od years to emaligmate newport into cardiff as has been more and more apparent in recent events. They cant do a worse job aye. I just worry our lovely town will never thrive again as cardiff may choose to use newport as its new dumping ground.

Pete Ak wrote:
http://pakinwunmi.wo

rdpress.com/2012/08/

09/my-town/

This is Newport
where we’re proud to live.
Nothing to hide,
a bit less to give.
Just take these streets,
we love to walk
we learned to fight here,
‘fore we could talk.
All these places
we love to roam
The ‘port ain’t much,
but we call it home.

I could show you bright spots
I used to have my fun;
or the dark hiding places
I used when I had to run.
I can show you the school
that stood and watched me grow
and walk you through the alleys
that taught me all I know…
Coz this is Newport, where we’re proud to live…

I could stand here dreaming
On Twmbarlam, looking down.
But one hundred and fifty thousand dreamers
struggle to help our town.
Betrayed by the planners,
and entrepreneurial flops
and lazy-minded councilors who
emptied the streets of shops.
But it’s still our town where we’re proud to live…

It’s a shame that pride and history
count for bugger all;
we need Chartist-like heroics
to arrest this headlong fall
into the dust.
coz there is a sense of inner strength,
a steel which forged its men,
and the guts that vanquished All Blacks
can be stirred in the ‘Port again.

When Jonny’s TJ’s lit a fuse
‘cool Cymru’ rocked our town,
Dub War, Darling Buds, Feeder, the ‘Dolls,
Strummer and Cobain hung round.
A place of hard, working people
and chaotic weekends in town -
but give me a place with edge and bite
not one that just lays down.

The ‘port still has its icons
Behold the mighty Skindred
Then there’s the County and the Dragons,
and the Dirties – Goods and Sanchez!
Kenneth Baker and Paul Flynn;
as heroes, not everyone’s choice
but Newport carved these people too
and gave the town a voice.

I keep saying town
but we’re promoted to ‘city’,
like big brother Cardiff
down the road.
But up feels like down
when you drive out to Spytty
while the town centre corrodes.

The people of the ‘port
are the lifeblood that it needs,
but they drain away through the open gash
that closed down businessess leave.
The pubs are cold and empty,
town wheezes drawing breath
but it was here when we were born
so I’m staying for her death…
‘coz this is my town, where I’m proud to live…

with nothing to hide,
a bit less to give.
Just take these streets,
we love to walk
we learned to fight here,
‘fore we could talk.
All these places
we loves to roam,
the ‘port ain’t much,
but we calls it home.

More of this please

Mervyn James wrote:

Strider wrote:
Nice one Phili always good to read a well written well argued post..

The thing is where told by the Argus that these foul mouthed Chav's are just expressing themselves.. Same with the pubs there just drunk as there enjoying themselves.. And only us Argus fascists have a problem with them swearing and being drunk..

I saw a guy stop some chav from trying to kick a window through last week.. 5 minutes later chav comes back by crying with several other chavs saying "That man beat the S out of me"

Really if the Police whoever took a zero tolerance approach people may want to return to Newport.. Cwmbran and Cardiff pubs are mostly kept away from the town centre..

The only way to better Newports image would be less pubs and more family oriented places, Cinema, Harvester, Pizza Hut, Ben & Jerrys

We had all those before, they still went. I don't think the NHS would be happy Newport open a plethora of more junk food outlets here.... There are enough fatties already. Newport had 4 cinemas at one time, they all closed. I agree move the pubs out, but with a load of night clubs and booze cheaper than water in off licences, nothing would change. These idiots get tanked up before they hit the town centre. Wasn't it the Lamb in the town centre that removed tables and chairs to get more people in to drink more booze ? People who sat down talked more and drank less !

I'm sure I heard that as well Mervyn, that the 'Lamb' didn't want the elderly drinkers who drank slowly so took the Tables and Chairs out to pack in more people who would drink fast..

My friend was showing me videos of Newport in the eighties last night.. The Inshops and John Frost Square where full of independent traders such as Colours, United News and the Restaurant by the stairs all the seats where taken..

Just saw the BBC advertising a documentary how Welsh people are the fattest in the UK, Isn't mentioning weight a taboo subject on the Argus? As for the pubs I can't understand how they can make a profit with £1 drinks bottle of Ribenia or Coke costs £1.15.. Even with all the closed pubs Newport is still swimming in booze

NakedDancer wrote:

Strider wrote:

NakedDancer wrote:
So you have nothing useful to contribute only stealing someone elses words and i can see why you'd enjoy nojustices gutter language comments in your whingy negative world with no aspiration for anything better. Your silly insults are pathetic.

NakedDancer how is that stealing when I credited Arfur Daley, Richard Jackson and the Landlord of Infusions for the posts?

Also where did I insult you?

Newport couldn't even sell there flats above the Westgate, the riverside apartment was bought by Charter .. Both Newport's hotels shut..

Newport at night is full of Druggy's, Drunks and Chav's bent over there dirty little bags of street drugs.. Other pubs like 200 and Basement have 5 people max in them on a friday night.. If your idea of a good night are these Chav friendly themed pubs that play dance music, and are full of stella drinking chavs who think they can take on the world after they got a drink down them, more power to you

As the Gentleman above said Murenger is the only decent pub in Newport.. And Lloyds No 1 in the day

As I said - no-one is disputing the current poor state (including me) and its a problem many town centres are facing. The question is what should be done about it ?

All you can do is rant the obvious and make stupid suppositions about my preferences.

If you don't want to hear anyones opinion then don't read a comments page...or stick to the point and keep your snide insults to yourself.

Halving the number of pubs and banning Chuggers and those JHP type places for the long term unemployable Chav's from the Town centre would be a start...

Relocating the Museum & Library to the westgate.. Advertising Newport as the home of Dr Who as its filmed in and around Newport..

Be honest the Argus comments page is for anything but opinions.. Case in point A recent thread where somebody dies and one of the posts was "She shouldn't have been drinking" and how the op went on to say"How he does not worry about things like war, hunger or anything “heavy” like that. Not that he is stupid he just does not care. Its all Rugby,cars,gym"

Tomanyunits wrote:

Pete Ak wrote:
http://pakinwunmi.wo


rdpress.com/2012/08/


09/my-town/

This is Newport
where we’re proud to live.
Nothing to hide,
a bit less to give.
Just take these streets,
we love to walk
we learned to fight here,
‘fore we could talk.
All these places
we love to roam
The ‘port ain’t much,
but we call it home.

I could show you bright spots
I used to have my fun;
or the dark hiding places
I used when I had to run.
I can show you the school
that stood and watched me grow
and walk you through the alleys
that taught me all I know…
Coz this is Newport, where we’re proud to live…

I could stand here dreaming
On Twmbarlam, looking down.
But one hundred and fifty thousand dreamers
struggle to help our town.
Betrayed by the planners,
and entrepreneurial flops
and lazy-minded councilors who
emptied the streets of shops.
But it’s still our town where we’re proud to live…

It’s a shame that pride and history
count for bugger all;
we need Chartist-like heroics
to arrest this headlong fall
into the dust.
coz there is a sense of inner strength,
a steel which forged its men,
and the guts that vanquished All Blacks
can be stirred in the ‘Port again.

When Jonny’s TJ’s lit a fuse
‘cool Cymru’ rocked our town,
Dub War, Darling Buds, Feeder, the ‘Dolls,
Strummer and Cobain hung round.
A place of hard, working people
and chaotic weekends in town -
but give me a place with edge and bite
not one that just lays down.

The ‘port still has its icons
Behold the mighty Skindred
Then there’s the County and the Dragons,
and the Dirties – Goods and Sanchez!
Kenneth Baker and Paul Flynn;
as heroes, not everyone’s choice
but Newport carved these people too
and gave the town a voice.

I keep saying town
but we’re promoted to ‘city’,
like big brother Cardiff
down the road.
But up feels like down
when you drive out to Spytty
while the town centre corrodes.

The people of the ‘port
are the lifeblood that it needs,
but they drain away through the open gash
that closed down businessess leave.
The pubs are cold and empty,
town wheezes drawing breath
but it was here when we were born
so I’m staying for her death…
‘coz this is my town, where I’m proud to live…

with nothing to hide,
a bit less to give.
Just take these streets,
we love to walk
we learned to fight here,
‘fore we could talk.
All these places
we loves to roam,
the ‘port ain’t much,
but we calls it home.

More of this please

http://pakinwunmi.wo
rdpress.com/2012/08/
09/my-town/

tomanyunits - You're welcome!
Pete Ak