WE asked people out in the city centre their views on the Friar's Walk crisis.

Brian Matthews, 62, Monnow Way, Bettws: "I've seen this ever since I came to Newport 40 years ago, they start something then stop it, everything in Newport doesn't happen.

"I'm concerned that nothing may happen in the future, I was expecting it to be open by now. I'm shocked about that not going ahead, what are they going to do?"

Veronica Moore, 84, Cromwell Road: "It would have been nice to have the shops there where you can go while you're waiting for the bus, I think it's a shame it's not going ahead."

Arthur Johnson, 83, Maendy Place: "The economic crisis has put everything back, the college development is going OK, but everything has been slowed down. Things like this create jobs so for people looking for jobs it's very disappointing and it's disappointing for Newport as well."

Becky Duke, 29, Bishpool Lane: "There's going to be nothing left, it's going to be awful it would have helped boost the profile of Newport. It's atrocious, no-one is going to come here, they're going to go to Cardiff or Cwmbran."

Natalie Bell, 29, Thornhill, Cwmbran: "It affects where we work because we were relying on that to boost where we are. Nobody's going to come here because everywhere is shutting and there's more shops in Cardiff and Cwmbran. I would have come shopping here if it opened, but now I'll stick with Cwmbran."

Rob Porter, 47, owner of The Wardrobe in Friars Street: "If it isn't coming, there's not a lot you can do about it, but it doesn't cost a lot to clean the town or give free parking on Saturday to encourage people to come in.

"This is the worst I've seen Newport town, because I don't think we warrant being a city. The council can't brush it under the carpet, they need to do something about it to get confidence back into Newport, this square should be a focal point."

Christopher Hill, 62, partner at Jacklyn Dawson Solicitors, Friars Street: "Many local businesses who, in effect, were forced from their premises, have suffered hugely and now, it seems, unnecessarily.

"The council has once again chosen and backed the wrong developer, a very depressing future for all city centre-based businesses working in a unkempt environment.

“Why would anyone from outside Newport visit this town in its present condition, we are all very disappointed."