HOORAY, the Superdragons are back – a fabulous attraction that brings people into the centre of Newport and gives artists the chance to show their talents.

But wait, yet again the decision makers of Newport have failed to make the best of a fabulous opportunity.

The majority in the centre are around the central hub of John Frost Square and the Kingsway Centre.

There is one in the market and another on the High Street, but nothing to encourage intrepid dragon hunters to come through either of the arcades.

As a shop owner in Newport Arcade, I personally thought it was a perfect location for a dragon, given that all of us would have kept a careful eye on it and the arcade is locked at night, keeping the dragon safe after dusk.

Recently money has been wasted on new ‘you are here’ signs and seating areas, for who exactly? There are no shoppers to get lost or sit down.

More ironically, the money wasted on the Newport Open campaign – empty shops showing posters saying, “Newport Open for business”, when blatantly it’s not.

It is about time the council and property owners opened their eyes and realised that without shops there is little point in other schemes.

Lower the business rates on occupied properties, penalise empty ones. Make it financially viable to the would-be shop owner to think “yes, I’ll give it a go”.

Mrs P Cole, Newport