AS construction of shopping development Friar’s Walk continues apace, Newport is making good progress in city centre regeneration, the council’s cabinet heard yesterday.

In the annual review of the 2013/14 improvement plan, regeneration was rated “good”, or amber.

Debra Wood Lawson said in the report: “The aim is to improve the overall attractiveness and physical appearance of the public realm with the effect of increasing visitor numbers to the city. We will enhance the city’s skill base, increasing potential for local employment and growth in the local economy.”

Describing the reasoning behind the rating, she said: “This objective is rated as amber – good. We have reached this conclusion because of the four measures, two exceeded target and two fell short of target. These include: number of business support loans issued and the amount of business support loans issued. This was mainly due to some business projects not proceeding and some applications which were received later than expected.”

Friar’s Walk is expected to open in autumn next year in time for Christmas. It will have 350 new parking spaces and Debenham’s as its flagship store.

Other regeneration plans have included a digital youth club aimed at making Newport a centre of technology and the renovation of the indoor market.

Newport was earmarked for regeneration after a downturn in its fortunes which saw big-name high street stores such as Marks and Spencer and Topshop leave the city centre.