A NEWPORT-born company boss says he has proposals for redevelopment of two key areas in the city centre.

Friars Walk and the City Spires developments were both projects due to be carried out by the Modus Corovest group.

But City Spires, on the site of the Cambrian Centre, was shelved some time ago and the Friars Walk scheme also fell by the wayside earlier this year.

Richard Hayward is chief executive of Hawtin which has an office in Castleton and describes itself as a leading property industry investment company.

It has a proven track record having been involved in such schemes as the Millennium Plaza, the new Travelodge Hotel in Newport's Bridge Street and Skenfrith House in Cwmbran.

Mr Hayward, who said the company had a long history of involvement with development in Newport, was particularly concerned about the current state of leisure and retail offerings in the city centre.

"Something needs to happen" he said.

His main interest was in the Cambrian Centre as he believed a major scheme on that site would be more sustainable and achievable in the current economic conditions.

"I think the market is now improving and there is funding around for development. It is not as easy as all that but we in our business enjoy a challenge."

He believed there was a demand for offices in Newport and a need for a city centre food store as well as a hotel.

Mr Hayward said he also had some proposals for the former Friars Walk site.

As yet the does not have the finances in place to take the development forward but a spokesman said they didn't think it would be a problem if they wanted to go further with the idea.

Cllr Ed Townsend, the council's cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, said the interest being shown in both the John Frost Square and Cambrian road areas was encouraging and showed Newport was an attractive proposition for developers.

"We look forward to hearing proposals from all those who have expressed an interest."