11:57am Tuesday 11th March 2008
By Harry Hawkins
A £200 million new shopping centre for Newport has clinched five new big-name chains.
River Island, Boots, and JJB sports are coming to the new Friars Walk centre, as will Pizza Express and Nandos, creating over 100 new jobs in the process.
Newport Council Leader, Bob Bright, praised the announcement: "This is more great news for Friars Walk, Modus and Newport City Council and is clear evidence that the development is well on the way to fulfilling our ambition to transform the city into a modern and vibrant retail destination."
Cllr Bright was particularly welcoming of Nandos and Pizza Express: "It is particularly pleasing to see the signing of Nandos and Pizza Express, two high quality restaurant chains which will enhance the family dining experience in the centre of Newport."
They join Debenhams, Marks and Spencer and New Look at the shopping centre and 58 per cent of the 450,00 square foot floor space has now been contracted out.
Nigel Poad, Leasing Director for developers Modus said: "These deals demonstrate that despite the general doom and gloom that the media are promoting, retailers are still willing to commit to quality schemed.
"Securing Pizza Express and Nandos as the first operators to commit to the restaurant quarter sets the tone we are seeking to achieve, There is currently no family dining on offer in the City and we are determined to address this."
Building work on the £200 million development is imminent and is set to be completed in 2010.
John Burrows, Chief Executive of the city's regeneration body Newport Unlimited, said: "We are delighted the scheme is continuing to get very strong interest and lettings and look forward to the project getting on site in the next couple of months."
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