Insurance giant to move to Newport city centre

The Admiral Group announced provisional plans to move staff from its current two offices on Langstone Business Park to a new 77,000 square foot office building on a 20-year lease.

The office, which would accommodate up to 1,200 members of staff, would be part of the Scarborough Development Group’s redeveloped Cambrian Centre in Queensway and is expected to be ready by the end of 2013.

Huw Llewellyn, Admiral head of property, said: “Since we opened our first office in Newport in 2008 it has been a great success.

“We are committed to the city and hope to grow our operation there.”

He added that the Queensway location would enable employees to access good transport links as well as the amenities and facilities of Newport city centre.

Admiral currently employs 450 people at its two Langstone offices, which would be transferred to the new office at the end of the current lease next year.

Aspokesman said it was no secret the company was looking for a city centre location for a new office, as its operations in Cardiff and Swansea are also city centre based.

The existing office has 249 parking spaces and the spokesman said a similar number of spaces would be provided at the new office.

Newport’s city centre regeneration hopes have been dealt several blows over the past few years with the collapse of the original Friar’s Walk scheme and the closure of the passport office, but it is hoped Admiral’s announcement will help get the project back on track.

Newport council leader Cllr Matthew Evans said: “Admiral has shown great faith in our city centre and its presence here will be a major step as we move towards the development of a new city centre shopping area. We hope that other businesses will recognise the benefits that Admiral has realised and see what the city offers.”

Councillor Ed Townsend, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Admiral has been excellent employers in Newport and its continuing commitment to the city will help attract partners to the new shopping development.”

The move into the redeveloped Cambrian Centre is subject to terms being finalised between Admiral and Scarborough Development Group.

Traders hope they’ll benefit

PHAE Cole, who owns Bethan in Newport Arcade, said she was cautiously optimistic about the announcement.

She said: “It could be just what the city centre needs. The kind of people they will get will be coming into the city centre on their lunch break and they are going to shop.”

Jon Powell who runs the Kiosk on High Street, said: “I think it’s good news. I think this is what the

city needs. “Around here there used to be offices and traning centres and there used to be lots of business at lunchtime.

“That’s something we need to bring back.”

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Firm now at heart of city

THE news that insurance firm Admiral is to take a 20-year lease on a city centre office is good for Newport on so many fronts.

Firstly, this is a real show of confidence in the city which has suffered from so many hard knocks in recent months.

The move demonstrates a real commitment to Newport by Admiral Group plc which moved to an office on the city’s outskirts in 2008.

Secondly, it will bring hundreds of workers daily into a city which is crying out for greater footfall.

Thirdly, the office, part of the redevelopment of the Cambrian Centre in Queensway, is big enough for Admiral to more than double existing staff, if it so wishes.

Fourthly, this will demonstrate to other companies that Newport is well-placed for business.

We have had some bad news in recent weeks in Newport with the closure of the Kings Hotel, a devastating blow on top of the number of shops not renewing leases in the city.

But with M&S saying it is committed to another year in the city along with this good news today this is a welcome step in the right direction.

What we need now is for the most important piece of the jigsaw and the transformational effect the new shopping centre will undoubtedly bring.